Three Tampa Bay area hotels have been accused of price gouging during evacuations for Hurricane Matthew.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday in a statement that civil actions have been taken against three hotels in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.

Bondi says the hotels charged evacuees anywhere from $140 to $200 more a night than the usual rate.

The Attorney General's Office is seeking civil penalties and restitution to the customers who paid the excessive prices.

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