A California Department of Justice disaster relief task force has been created to uncover, investigate and prosecute price gouging and other crimes targeting disaster victims.

Tenant advocacy groups, landlord associations and elected officials are condemning rent gouging after tens of thousands of people were displaced in deadly fires this month.

In the plainest of terms, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on Thursday that the hammer will come down on those who attempt to take advantage of the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.