Marin County shoppers got shortchanged less often in 2025 than in any year since 2016, according to the county's annual consumer protection report released Sept. 9.

The Marin County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures conducted 9,921 inspections at 399 businesses countywide. Inspectors tested gas pumps, retail scales and electric submeters. Of the 7,679 items checked in 265 price-accuracy inspections, 151 overcharged customers, down from 220 in 2024. Another 187 items undercharged customers.

The share of businesses passing their first price-accuracy inspection climbed to 77.7%, up from 58.1% in 2022, the earliest comparison year cited in the report.

Department head Joe Deviney said in the report that 2025 was the most accurate year since 2016 for all commercial measuring devices in the county, including weight scales, cordage meters and fuel pumps.

Consumer complaints also fell. The department reviewed 55 in 2025, compared with 74 the year before.

"By law, there's no such thing as an expired sale sign," Deviney said, explaining that California requires stores to honor a posted promotional price until the signage comes down.

The eight field inspectors in the 14-person department logged more than 5,700 hours across agricultural and consumer programs. Among their findings: 31 of 851 gas pumps tested at 36 of the county's 67 stations were tagged as inaccurate. A red tag means the pump cannot operate until repaired. A blue tag gives the station 30 days to fix a minor discrepancy. Ninety-two percent of countertop scales passed inspection, SFGate reported.

Deviney urged drivers to check the seal sticker on any gas pump before filling up. A red or red-white-and-blue sticker means the pump has been tested for accuracy within two years. Green or yellow stickers signal the station is next in line for a recheck. Pumps with no seal should be reported because they may be new or recently replaced and need testing before commercial use.

The department said it emphasizes education over punishment. Noncompliant businesses receive resources and a chance at re-inspection before facing fines. Serious or repeated violations go to the Marin County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Division, and some businesses have faced court settlements or injunctions for chronic overcharging.

Residents who spot a pricing error can call the department's multilingual hotline at 415-473-7888 or file a complaint online at marincounty.gov/departments/awm/consumer-complaint-form.