NC Gas Stations Contacted by Attorney General Over Suspected Gas Tax Savings Violations

Attorney General Inquires Into Gas Tax Savings Compliance

The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office has reached out to 42 gas stations across the state suspected of not passing on savings from the state’s gas tax suspension, officials announced on Friday.

Relief at the Pump Act Prompts Oversight

Following the enactment of the Relief at the Pump Act, which suspends North Carolina’s 41-cent-per-gallon gas tax through November, some drivers reported concerns that certain gas stations were not reflecting the tax break at the pump. The Attorney General’s Office responded by sending formal letters to stations where such complaints had been received, requesting explanations and details on their pricing practices.

Affected Counties Across North Carolina

The 42 stations contacted are spread throughout multiple counties, demonstrating the breadth of consumer concern. Notable counties include Durham, Cumberland, Franklin, Halifax, Person, Wilson, Guilford (four stations), Avery (three), Buncombe (two), Burke (two), Dare (two), Davidson (two), Mecklenburg (two), Onslow (two), Watagua (two), and single locations in several others, such as Alleghany, Brunswick, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Currituck, Gaston, Iredell, Jones, Montgomery, Pender, Robeson, Rockingham, Union, and Washington.

Price Discrepancy Complaints and Referrals

In addition to the tax savings issue, the North Carolina Department of Justice has referred nine cases to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture regarding discrepancies between advertised fuel prices and the actual prices charged. These referrals concern stations in Wake County (one complaint), Nash County (two), Guilford County (two), Buncombe County (one), Forsyth County (one), Madison County (one), and Onslow County (one).

Ongoing Investigations, Not Legal Conclusions

Officials emphasized that the distribution of letters does not mean the stations have been found to violate the law. The letters are part of a preliminary inquiry based on consumer reports. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson acknowledged the important role of drivers in bringing these matters to attention: “North Carolina drivers have been our eyes and ears and now we’re following up on their reports. We’re now seeing broad compliance with the law from gas stations, but we’re taking a closer look where we need to.”

Consumer Reporting Tools and Public Response

Complaints about north carolina gas stations were collected via the N.C. Fuel Check website, launched on October 13, which allows drivers to report stations suspected of failing to pass on relief at the pump. The initiative is part of the state’s effort to ensure compliance with the gas tax suspension and maintain transparency in fuel pricing practices.

Source: cbs17.com.