Stores Fined for Scanning Errors

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from 37 stores in 22 counties because of excessive price-scanner errors during the first quarter of 2023.

The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2-percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection later. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a reinspection.

Of the 37 stores who were fined, 16 were Dollar General locations and 11 were Family Dollar stores. Other multiple location offenders included Targetand Circle K (3 locations each) and Walmart (two stores).

Only one of the 37 was in our primary service area (Lincoln, Catawba, Gaston & Cleveland counties). The Dollar General store at 125 North Academy St., Mooresboro, paid $2,235 in penalties. An initial inspection in December 2022 found an error rate of 18 percent based on 9 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in January found an error rate of 6 percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March with a 2 percent error rate.

Stores are responsible for making sure the prices shown on shelf labels and the price that rings at the register are the same. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter can call the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.