FTC and States Sue Dollar General for Allegedly Overcharging Low-Income Customers

The Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of state attorneys general have filed legal action against Dollar General, alleging the discount retailer charged customers more at checkout than the prices displayed on store shelves.

The lawsuit, reported by Fortune in late October 2026, targets one of the country's largest discount retailers. Dollar General operates more than 20,000 stores across the United States, with a customer base that skews heavily toward low-income households in rural and suburban communities.

Regulators allege the overcharging was systematic, not accidental. The complaint describes a pattern in which shelf tags showed one price while the point-of-sale system charged a higher amount. Customers who did not check their receipts would have no way of knowing they were overcharged.

The FTC and state officials say the practice disproportionately harms the customers Dollar General markets itself to serve. Many of the company's stores are located in areas with limited retail competition, meaning customers have few alternatives.

Dollar General denied the allegations in a statement, saying the company is committed to providing value to its customers and that it takes pricing accuracy seriously.

The case is part of a broader FTC effort to scrutinize pricing practices at major retailers. The agency has also taken action against other chains in recent months over similar allegations.

Consumer advocates say the lawsuit highlights the vulnerability of low-income shoppers who may not have the time or resources to verify prices at checkout. They are calling for stronger enforcement of pricing accuracy laws and better transparency from retailers.

The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how regulators handle pricing disputes at large discount chains.