Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/21/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Hilary Moores - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

TARGET WILL PAY $1,745,522 IN PENALTIES IN CONSUMER PROTECTION
LAWSUIT FOR PRICE SCANNER OVERCHARGES

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan R. Passalacqua announced today that his office and the District Attorneys of Contra Costa, Fresno, Marin, and Santa Cruz counties reached a settlement in a civil law enforcement action filed againstTarget Corporation, the operator of Target stores throughout California.  The complaint alleged that Target violated the law by charging customers more than the lowest posted price for items.  Under the terms of the settlement, Target agreed, without admitting wrongdoing, to pay $1,745,522 in civil penalties, costs, and restitution, and to injunctive provisions to ensure future compliance.  The judgment requires Target to implement additional audit and price accuracy procedures in its California stores for a four year period to ensure compliance with pricing accuracy requirements.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, “Consumers should not have to worry about being charged the correct price when items are scanned at store registers. We believe the settlement in this case sends a message that will help ensure that consumer expectations are met.”

The civil complaint and stipulated final judgment were filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court on October 20, 2008.  The case arose from regular price scanner inspections by the Departments of Weights and Measures in the counties of Sonoma, Contra Costa, Marin, Fresno and Santa Cruz, which coordinated their investigation with departments in other counties.  These local agencies, and the State Division of Measurement Standards, are instrumental in monitoring stores to make sure that consumers are charged accurately.  Scanner inspections at the Target stores disclosed numerous occasions where the price charged at the cash register was not the lowest posted price.  Target cooperated with inspectors and the District Attorneys' Offices during the investigation, and has since instituted new policies and procedures to improve pricing accuracy.   

The District Attorney acknowledged the hard work of Weights and Measures officials throughout the state for their vigilant enforcement efforts in the case.  Deputy District Attorney Matt Cheever handled the matter for this office.  Sonoma County consumers may call the Sonoma County Department of Weights and Measures at 707-565-2371 if they have a complaint or questions about pricing issues.  Consumers are reminded that the best way to ensure they are charged the correct price is to verify themselves the price at the time the  items are scanned and they receive their receipt.