Officials urge holiday shoppers to double-check purchases to avoid overcharging

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — County officials are urging holiday shoppers to double-check their receipts to protect against overcharging.

More than 12 percent of businesses inspected last year by the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures had overcharging errors that averaged $2.28, according to the county.

The weights and measures department checks price-scanning devices, scales and other equipment to make sure businesses they are charging customers accurately.

Tips to protect against overcharging:

• Verify receipts immediately and notify store management of any discrepancy between the advertised and charged price
• Watch the cash register’s display screen as your items are scanned by the cashier
• Take sales advertisements with you when shopping
• Know that stores cannot legally charge more than their lowest advertised, posted or quoted price