Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — Dollar General has agreed to pay more than $1.5 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania following a multi-year investigation that revealed widespread overcharging at checkout across hundreds of stores. State officials say the settlement resolves allegations that the national retailer repeatedly charged customers prices higher than those posted on shelves, violating Pennsylvania’s consumer protection laws.
Investigation Reveals Years of Pricing Violations
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the investigation uncovered “numerous” instances in which shoppers were charged more at the register than the price listed on tags and store signage. Dollar General operates more than 900 stores across the state, and officials said the pattern of inaccuracies was significant and consistent.
Between 2019 and 2023, Dollar General locations in Pennsylvania failed over 40% of state pricing accuracy inspections. Investigators described these results as evidence of systemic negligence rather than isolated mistakes.
Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized the seriousness of the findings, stating that consumers deserve to trust that the price they see on a shelf is the price they will pay.
“Our investigation found widespread and repeated instances of Pennsylvanians being overcharged at checkout — blatant deception of customers all over the Commonwealth,” Sunday said. “We are hopeful the corporation takes this settlement very seriously.”
The findings echo similar complaints raised in other states in recent years, raising broader concerns about consumer trust in national discount chains.
Company to Pay $1.55 Million and Implement New Safeguards
Dollar General Corporation and its parent company, Dolgen Corp, LLC, will pay $1.55 million to Pennsylvania to resolve allegations that the stores misrepresented prices and violated provisions of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
As part of the settlement, Dollar General must implement several corrective measures designed to improve price accuracy and protect consumers. These measures include:
• Enhanced employee training on pricing procedures
• Ensuring adequate staffing to update shelf tags weekly
• Posting clear notices at cash registers stating that the lowest advertised price will be honored
Officials say the changes are intended to ensure accountability and reduce pricing discrepancies moving forward. Retail experts note that pricing accuracy has become a growing challenge for large chains as they expand rapidly while relying heavily on reduced labor hours and small staffing models.
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State Encourages Customers to Report Price Discrepancies
The Attorney General’s Office is urging shoppers to remain vigilant and to report any instances where the price charged at checkout does not match the advertised price. Consumer complaints were a significant factor in triggering the original investigation.
Pennsylvania residents can file complaints with the Bureau of Consumer Protection through the following channels:
• Online submission
• Phone: 717-787-3391
• Email: scams@attorneygeneral.gov
Officials say consumer reports will continue to play an important role in monitoring retailer compliance and identifying future violations.
Looking Ahead
While Dollar General has not admitted wrongdoing, the settlement signals a major legal step toward addressing what state officials describe as a pervasive issue. The retailer’s agreement to modify its practices suggests a recognition that price integrity is critical for both consumer confidence and regulatory compliance.
The settlement also raises broader questions about whether other large retailers may face similar scrutiny as states increase enforcement efforts around pricing accuracy and consumer fairness.
What Do You Think?
Have you ever noticed price discrepancies at checkout? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
