Connecticut and New Jersey Join FTC Case Accusing Dollar General of Misleading Prices

Attorneys general from Connecticut, New Jersey, and 18 other states have joined the Federal Trade Commission in a lawsuit against Dollar General, according to a Monday news release from the FTC. The states say the discount retailer overcharged shoppers for years, costing them millions of dollars.

Investigators said thousands of Dollar General locations routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices shown on shelves, price tags, and advertisements. The company is also accused of knowing about the pricing errors but failing to take meaningful action to correct them.

The lawsuit says Dollar General has received tens of thousands of complaints from customers across the country who claimed the company did not honor its advertised prices.

"Dollar General has betrayed the trust of millions of American consumers and imposed significant financial harm on communities and consumers who are already struggling to make their paychecks last," said Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The FTC and the participating states contend that Dollar General violated federal consumer protection laws as well as state laws, including the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.

"Dollar General knew it was overcharging customers and failed to do anything about it," Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said. "They profited from years of deception, while American families lost millions. Consumers should be able to trust the prices they see on the shelves, not worry about what they'll be charged at the register."

The other states involved are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.