RIAG COVID-19 Resource Guide
Information, guidance, tips, and links to help you access what you need during the COVID-19 emergency.
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We remain open and ready to serve to the public
“A central part of our mission is and remains public safety,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “We are taking important steps, in line with recommendations by the CDC and RIDOH, to protect our employees and the members of the public that we serve. We remain fully open and able to respond to the public during this time.”
Effective March 16, 2020, our office has implemented alternative work schedules for employees and specific guidance for many of our public services in the interest of public health and safety.
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How to report price gouging
Prices on essential items seem way higher than usual? Businesses are prohibited from increasing the price of any essential commodity to an "unconscionably high price" immediately before or during a declared state of emergency.
This practice is known as
price gouging and it is illegal in Rhode Island.
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Protect yourself against scams
Watch out for scammers seeking to take advantage of you during uncertain and challenging times. Use these helpful tips to avoid becoming a victim of a scam:
- Be wary of emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations will not be contacting you directly. Visit www.cdc.gov or www.who.org for health-related information.
- There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Any offer promising a vaccination or treatment is a scam.
- The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.
- The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does so is a scammer.
- These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
- Thoroughly check out any charity or organization seeking donations for COVID-19 related causes. Someone asking for donations - particularly in cash, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards - to help victims of COVID-19, or for "research" into finding a vaccine or cure, is likely a scammer.
- Look out for scam "investment opportunities." The U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an investor alert. Before making any type of investment regarding stock in any company, you should contact a legitimate investment company.
- Beware of online or unsolicited calls or emails from individuals posing as government officials. Do not provide personal information (such as social security number, date of birth, etc.) to unsolicited callers.
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AG Customer Service Center:
Background checks, concealed carry, lobby protocols
Effective immediately, we are prioritizing background checks as follows:
- Healthcare providers, such as nurses and long-term care/assisted living facility workers
- Individuals requiring background checks for housing
- First responders
- Individuals with urgent circumstances who need a background check for employment purposes. Contact BCI first in order to make an appointment at 401-274-4400, prompt 2.
All others, including those seeking background checks for volunteer positions that require a background check, are asked to postpone their visit to the AG Customer Service Center until the state of emergency has been lifted.
License to carry concealed weapon permits:
- Applications/renewals will continue to be accepted by mail only
- Applications will be processed, however, permit cards will not be available for pickup at this time. A temporary paper permit will be mailed for use until normal BCI operations resume.
Thank you for cooperating with these guidelines. If you plan to visit our customer service center, please follow these recommendations:
- Take advantage of using hand sanitizer, available at our customer service windows, before conducting any transaction.
- Use a credit card for any transaction to limit the amount of hand-to-hand contact. BCI will not be accepting checks or money orders during this emergency.
- We have a large lobby area. Keep at least six feet of space between fellow customers and do not crowd.
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Victim Services
All communication between the victim services team/advocates and members of the public will be conducted by phone, email, or mail. Contact our victim services team with questions at (401) 274-4400 ex. 2277.
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A guide to Open Government modifications
Now, more than ever, Rhode Islanders need to have trust and confidence in their government. We encourage public bodies and agencies to continue to operate as openly and transparently as possible during this time.
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No utility shut-offs
Concerned about utility shut-offs, or gas and electric bills being sent into collections?
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has placed a moratorium
on all electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utility shut-offs for reasons of non-payment through April 15, 2020. Also, collections activities - sending past due accounts to collections agencies and sending termination notices with disconnection dates prior to the end of April 15 - are disallowed.
Questions? Contact our consumer protection team by calling (401) 274-4400 or emailing
consumers@riag.ri.gov
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Health insurance information
Rhode Island has mandated several health insurance provisions during this state of emergency:
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Evictions
Worried about being evicted? State courts will not process any new residential or commercial
evictions for the next 30 days
(until April 17, 2020). Payment and filing deadlines have also been extended past April 17.
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Information subject to change as necessary.
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RI Attorney General
| www.riag.ri.gov
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