Dozens more NC stores caught overcharging for items in 2022, state audit shows

“Normally we hand out nearly $40,000 to $50,000 in fines where stores have been overcharging, and this past year it was over half a million,” said Chad Parker, the Standards Measurement Manager for the Department of Agriculture.

This map below shows 42 stores fined across North Carolina during the first quarter of 2022.

The goal of the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division is to keep stores honest and accurate.

"Stores have had a very big problem keeping up with the price changes," Parker said.

Stores are having a hard time keeping up with price changes, Parker said. They also may be short staffed, which means many items may go unchecked.

"We check every grocery store, Walmart. We check parts stores, Advance Auto stores, Dollar Generals and stuff like that," Parker said.

An audit of Advance Auto on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh found that out of the 300 items checked, 103 were more expensive than listed. Parker’s team fined the store $5,000.

Auditors also found 35 out of 300 items they checked at the Walmart Supercenter on Fayetteville Road in Raleigh were inaccurately priced, slapping them with a $5,000 fine.

Parker said these recent examples only reveal a small part of a statewide problem.

Customers who notice that an item they purchase rings up as more expensive as advertised should alert a manager, Parker said. If you don't think the store is being fair, report them by calling 984-236-4750. Even if stores aren't breaking a law, they can be fined.