5 Charlotte-area stores fined for price scanning errors. Which overcharged?
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- 11 North Carolina stores were fined for price scanning errors in early 2025.
- Family Dollar and Dollar General locations received the highest total penalties.
- State inspectors flagged stores with over 2% overcharge rates for follow-ups.
Nearly a dozen retail stores and gas stations around the state were caught overcharging customers.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division periodically inspects stores to make sure prices are accurately rung up as advertised.
In the second quarter of the year, 11 businesses in eight counties were fined price scanning errors — many around the Charlotte area, the department recently announced.
Here is a list of which stores were forced to pay up for incorrect pricing.
Price scanning errors in Charlotte area
▪ Circle K at 4923 South Tryon St. in Charlotte was fined $1,005 after failing two inspections: “An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 13% for 13 overcharges on a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 10% for 10 overcharges on a 100-item lot. The store paid the fine in June and will be reinspected.”
▪ Family Dollar at 4455 Central Ave. in Charlotte paid $4,920 after failing an inspection in February: “The inspection found an error rate of 6% for 18 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in April with a 1.33% error rate.”
▪ Family Dollar at 2100 Beatties Ford Rd. in Charlotte was fined $2,790 after failing two inspections: “An initial inspection in April found a 20% error rate for 10 overcharges on a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found a 9% error rate for 27 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.”
▪ Family Dollar at 2559 West Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia paid a $1,535 fine after failing an inspection in December: “The inspection found an error rate of 3.67% for 11 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store had failed two prior inspections, as well. The store passed inspection in February.”
▪ Family Dollar at 7909 Idlewild Rd. in Indian Trail paid $15,000 after failing three inspections: “The store was initially inspected in March 2023 and has failed inspections roughly every other month since, resulting in a total of $53,775 in penalties. The store failed an inspection in January, with a 4% error rate, and faced a $5,000 fine. A March inspection found an error rate of 5% for 15 overcharges on a 300-item lot, resulting in another $5,000 fine. A May inspection found an error rate of 2.33% for seven overcharges on a 300-item lot, resulting in another $5,000 fine. The store paid these three fines in quarter two. The store will be reinspected.”
Price scanning errors across NC
▪ Family Dollar at 2206 West Webb Ave. in Burlington paid $3,700 after failing follow-up inspection in January: “The inspection found an error rate of 4.33% for 13 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was initially inspected in November 2023 and failed five inspections in 2024. The store passed inspection in April with a 0% error rate.”
▪ Dollar General at 1745 Southport-Supply Rd. in Bolivia paid $3,945 after failing two inspections: “An initial inspection in April found an error rate of 10% for five overcharges on a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found 29 overcharges on a 300-item lot – a 9.67% error rate. The store will be reinspected.”
▪ Dollar General at 6751 Greenville Hwy. in Brevard has been fined up to $7,275 after failing four inspections this year: “The store failed two inspections in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in a $1,215 fine the store paid in April. The store was reinspected in April and received an error rate of 6.33% for 19 overcharges on a 300-item lot, resulting in a $2,345 fine, which was paid in May. A subsequent inspection in June found a 9.33% error rate for 28 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was fined $3,715 following that inspection. The store will be reinspected.”
▪ Family Dollar at 1019 Rural Hall Rd. in Rural Hall paid $1,305 after failing an inspection in January: “An initial inspection in November found an error rate of 8% for four overcharges on a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in January found an error rate of 3.33% percent for 10 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in June.”
▪ Tractor Supply at 527 East Main St. in Biscoe paid $585 after failing two inspections: “An initial inspection in January found an error rate of 12% for six overcharges on a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June found 13 overcharges on a 300-item lot – an error rate of 4.33%. The store will be reinspected.”
▪ Circle K at 1400 Union Cross Rd. in Kernersville paid $1,810 after failing four inspections: “The store failed three inspections and paid over $3,000 in penalties in 2024. A follow-up inspection in March found a 5% error rate for five overcharges on a 100-item lot. The store paid the fine in April and will be reinspected.”
In the first quarter of this year, only two stores were fined for price scanning errors, the department previously announced — which was an improvement following the last quarter of 2024 when 14 stores in 12 counties were fined a combined $65,265 for overcharging customers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
How do price scanner error inspections work in NC?
If a store has more than a 2% error rate on overcharges during the department’s unannounced visits, inspectors will discuss it with the store manager and set up a more intensive follow-up inspection.
Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store, according to the department.
How to report price scanner errors
To file a complaint about price scanner errors, you can contact the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM.
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