Nine stores in seven counties pay penalties

(The Center Square) – Overcharging customers by retail stores in seven North Carolina counties has drawn fines from the state.

Nine stores in Alamance, Forsyth, Hertford, Mecklenburg, Moore, Wake and Union counties had errors on price scans and failed the subsequent follow-up inspection, leading to the disciplinary action. Checking price-scanner systems is an unannounced strategy by the Standards Division in the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Stores with more than a 2% error rate on overcharges will have discussions with the department and their manager. If found, the store is subject to a second inspection within the next 60 days that could lead to a fine.

Undercharges do not count against a store.

“Overcharges cost consumers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We remain vigilant in inspecting stores to save people money.”

Stores getting civil penalties, and amounts of paid penalties, in the second quarter of the calendar year were the Family Dollar ($8,370) at 2206 W. Webb Ave. in Burlington; Family Dollar ($37,345) at 1425 Waughtown St. in Winston-Salem; Family Dollar ($52,215) at 550 MLK Blvd. in Winston-Salem; Walgreens ($2,295) at 2912 Main St. in Walkertown; Family Dollar ($13,650) at 1678 Ocean Hwy. in Hertford; Family Dollar ($12,610) at 4005 Sunset Road in Charlotte; Dollar General ($915) at 4500 Lebelia Road in Vass; Target ($1,350) at 3001 Market Center Drive in Morrisville; and Family Dollar ($23,575) at 7907 Idlewild Road in Indian Trail.

The Charlotte Family Dollar also owes $5,000 in penalties.