LANSING, Michigan — Officials from a number of states, including Michigan, Florida and Texas, are investigating claims of gasoline price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox issued a statement that his office is questioning more than a dozen gas station owners identified as having 'dramatically raised their prices in the 24 hours surrounding Hurricane Ike's landfall in Texas on Friday.' The Texas attorney general issued a stern videotaped warning to those who engage in price gouging, and Florida's Governor Charlie Crist said his office has received more than 2,000 complaints of price gouging on gasoline. In the Tallahassee area, local media reported that some stations were charging $5 a gallon for gas.AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Thursday pegged the current national average price for gasoline as $3.83, compared with $3.73 a month ago. At least 11 states are reporting current average prices of over $4 a gallon, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Those states receive much of their gas from the Gulf region.The U.S. Department of Energy's latest situation report, dated September 17 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, indicates a slow recovery — more bad news for consumers. The Minerals Management Service says Hurricane Ike destroyed 28 of the 3,800 offshore production platforms in the Gulf. Those platforms produced a total of 11,000 barrels per day of crude oil. It also said 1,263,730 barrels per day of the Gulf's crude production remains shut in, equivalent to 97.2 percent of the Gulf's crude production.A total of 498 production platforms or 69.5 percent of the Gulf's 717 manned platforms remain evacuated. As of Wednesday morning, the most recent reporting period, 12 refineries in Texas and Louisiana remain shut due to Hurricane Ike. However, capacity is expected to be back online within a week.Affected states are urging consumers to contact their attorney general's consumer protection division to report allegations of price gouging and to keep all receipts if they believe they were victims of price gouging. Consumers in Michigan can call (877) 765-8388 or get in touch online. Florida consumers can call (800) HELPFLA.What this means to you: Don't be shy about contacting your state officials if you suspect gas price gouging. There are strict penalties for those found guilty. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent