Walmart, Dollar General fined again by NC for overcharging Charlotte-area customers

North Carolina continues to see a record number of store price scanning errors resulting in customers paying more than they should, according to a state agency, resulting in over $40,000 in fines for Charlotte-area retailers.

Some 70 stores were fined in 38 counties for scanning errors, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division said Friday.

In the Charlotte area, 13 were in Mecklenburg County, two were in Union County and one each was in Iredell and Rowan County. The local stores that were fined include Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Circle K and Sam’s Mart.

Charlotte stores have been fined for overcharging. What to do if it happens to you

The state agency has been seeing a “significant increase” in price scanner errors as many stores deal with staffing shortages, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. Over the last year, the agency has seen about 26% of price scanner inspections fail.

“During the holidays especially every penny counts, and we want consumers to pay attention during checkout,” Troxler said.

Several local stores previously had been fined this year.

In August, eight stores in Mecklenburg County — four Walmarts, three Dollar Generals and one Target — were fined a total of $63,505, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. And in April, several area Walmart and Dollar General stores were fined a combined $42,165 for overcharges, the Observer reported.

Overcharges in retail stores

State workers conduct periodic, unannounced inspections in retail stores to see if shelf and register prices match. H ere’s what they found in the Charlotte area in the latest round of checks:

▪ Dollar General at 7322 The Plaza, Charlotte, paid $4,130 in fines. An inspection in August found an error rate of 3.33% based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid fines for four previous inspections. The store passed inspection in November. ▪ Dollar General at 6201 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $1,790 in fines. An August inspection found an error rate of 3.67% based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid a fine for two previous inspections this year. The store passed inspection in October. ▪ Circle K at 3424 Matthews Mint Hill Road, Matthews, paid $1,665 in fines. An inspection in September found an error rate of 4% based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. The store also failed a reinspection in November with an 8% error rate based on eight overcharges in a 100-item lot. The store was assessed a $1,490 fine and will be reinspected. ▪ Family Dollar at 7921 Old Statesville Road, Charlotte, paid $5,000 in fines. An inspection in October found an error rate of 15.67% based on 47 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed and paid fines for two previous inspections. The store will be reinspected. ▪ Sam’s Mart at 10343 Cane Creek Drive, Huntersville, paid $930 in fines. A March inspection found an error rate of 11% based on 11 overcharges in a 100-item lot. The store passed inspection in May. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 7735 North Tryon St., Charlotte, paid $4,780 in fines. A March inspection showed an error rate of 7% based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid fines for two other inspections since November 2021. The store passed inspection in June. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 11145 Bryon Town Center, Huntersville, paid $3,455 in fines. A May inspection showed an error rate of 4.67% based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid a fine for an inspection in March. The store passed inspection in July. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 9820 Callabridge Court, Charlotte, paid $3,870 in fines. An inspection in June found an error rate of 5.33% based on 16 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in August. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 8180 South Tryon St., Charlotte, paid $3,615 in fines. A June inspection found an error rate of 4.33% based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in August. ▪ Dollar General at 105 Deal Road, Mooresville, paid $1,865 in fines. An inspection in August found an error rate of 4% based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also paid a fine in two previous inspections this year. The store passed inspection in November. ▪ Dollar General at 335 North Salisbury Ave., Spencer, paid $1,960 in fines. An October inspection found an error rate of 2.67% based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed three additional inspections this year and paid additional fines. The store will be reinspected. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 2101 Yount St., Indian Trail, paid $3,840 in fines. An inspection in March found an error rate of 3% based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also paid fines for four other inspections since August 2021. The store passed inspection in May. ▪ Walmart Supercenter at 2406 Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, paid $1,665 in fines. A May inspection found an error rate of 3% based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in July.

How inspections work in NC

Stores are fined for failing to meet the 2% or less price scanning error rate, according to the state agency.

If a store has more than a 2% error rate on overcharges, inspectors talk with the store manager and make a follow-up inspection.

Store are penalized if they fail the follow-up inspection, according to the news release. Stores are re-inspected every 60 days until meeting the 2%-or-less error rate and could face additional fines.

Undercharges are also reported but don’t count against a store.

What to do if you find a price scan error?

Troxler recommends shoppers check receipts with the shelf price. “Alert managers if they are not correct,” he said.

Customers who see price scanner errors on their receipt may file a complaint with the Standards Division. Call 984-236-4750.