Seven North Carolina Retailers Fined for Price-Scanning Overcharges in Third Quarter

Seven retailers across North Carolina paid fines in the third quarter of 2025. State inspectors caught price-scanning errors that cost customers money. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Standards Division issued penalties totaling $12,285 to locations throughout the state.

A Circle K at 4923 S. Tryon St. in Charlotte received the steepest penalty at $3,420. The store failed multiple inspections. Error rates at this location ranged from 6% to 13% on various item lots, and officials will return to reinspect.

Two Target stores faced fines. The Raleigh store at 4841 Grove Barton Road was fined $735 after inspectors found an 11% error rate — 11 overcharges on a 100-item lot in July. The next month, an inspector discovered a 4.67% error rate with 14 overcharges on a 300-item lot. By September, this location passed inspection.

The Wilmington Target at 4711 New Centre Drive was fined $1,140. Officials discovered a 10% error rate in July due to five overcharges in a 50-item lot. The follow-up inspection in August revealed a 3.67% error rate — 11 overcharges on a 300-item lot.

A Rural King at 1227 Burkemont Ave. in Morganton was fined $2,445. A Circle K at 1627 E. Main St. in Lincolnton got a $1,725 fine. This store failed two inspections, with initial checks finding error rates of 22% and 11% on different item lots.

A Dollar General at 250 N. Main St. in Star was fined $1,155 after failing inspections in June and July. Error rates were 10% and 4.67%. A Family Dollar at 2100 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte was fined $1,670 when a July inspection discovered a 3% error rate on 300 items, though this store passed a later inspection in September.

"Even small errors can add up," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in a news release per WECT.com. "As we head into the busy holiday shopping season, we're reminding consumers to remember to check their receipts."

State inspectors visit retailers across North Carolina and check price-scanning systems. They verify that advertised prices match the prices that ring up at the register. The inspectors drop in periodically. They don't announce their visits.

If a location has an overcharge error rate above 2%, inspectors talk with managers about the problem and come back later. A follow-up inspection happens. If the location fails the second inspection, it gets fined.

Penalties are handed out when a location fails a second inspection. The location must be reinspected every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2%-or-less error rate. Additional penalties can apply.

Troxler said inspectors are continuing to check convenience stores, grocery stores, and department stores across the state. This protects consumers and ensures pricing accuracy.

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