The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 20 states, including North Carolina, have filed a lawsuit against Dollar General, accusing the company of consistently charging customers higher prices at the register than those displayed on store shelves, tags, and advertisements. The complaint was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, where the discount chain is headquartered.
The FTC alleges that these pricing discrepancies have occurred at thousands of Dollar General stores over several years, leading to what it describes as “millions of dollars in unlawful overcharges.” According to the complaint, Dollar General recorded at least 29,265 customer complaints under the category “Did Not Honor Marked Price” across the 48 states where it operates, between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2026. The FTC further states that the company failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent these recurring overcharges, despite having reached earlier settlements with state regulators concerning inaccurate pricing.
North Carolina, home to more than 1,150 Dollar General stores — the second-highest number in any state — plays a significant role in the lawsuit. The company is often the sole local retail option for essential goods in many of the state’s rural communities. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s office reported that state Department of Agriculture inspections conducted at 10 Dollar General stores found nearly 400 pricing inaccuracies. This included an instance at a Swannanoa store where 32 of nearly 300 inspected items were overpriced. The state has also issued fines to 10 stores for charging more than their listed prices.
Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, stated that Dollar General "has betrayed the trust of millions of American consumers." North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson emphasized the importance of pricing accuracy for shoppers, saying, "People should be able to trust that the price they see on the shelves is the price they’ll pay."
In response to the lawsuit, Dollar General disputes the claims. The company issued a statement asserting that its objective is "100% accuracy between shelf and register prices in every store" and that employees are instructed to correct any discrepancies for customers. Dollar General also stated that it has upgraded its price-accuracy processes. The company indicated that it became aware of the FTC investigation in early February, attempted to resolve the matter outside of litigation, and intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
The FTC is seeking various forms of relief from the court, including civil penalties, restitution for consumers, a permanent injunction, and court-ordered pricing controls. In addition to North Carolina, the other states participating in the lawsuit are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Shoppers are advised to check their receipts carefully before leaving Dollar General stores. In North Carolina, pricing complaints can be reported to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Standards Division through its online form or by calling 984-236-4751.
