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From NCDA&CS:

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division fined 14 stores in 12 counties for price scanning errors during the final quarter of 2024.

“Our Standards Division remained committed to protecting consumers across the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our inspectors continue to find errors among price scanners at stores in the state, and consumers should be mindful. Take time to check your receipts and notify store managers if you find an error.”

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% 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. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter can call the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to reinspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2%-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails reinspection.
Included in civil penalties recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024:

• (Hyde) Dollar General at 34230 U.S. Hwy. 264 in Engelhard was fined $1,710 after failing inspections in September and October 2024. The initial inspection in September found an error rate of 14% for seven overcharges on a 50-item lot. The follow-up inspection in October found an error rate of 4% for 12 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in December 2024.