Illinois joined a coalition of states and Federal Trade Commission in suing Dollar General, accusing the discount chain of charging more at the checkout counter than prices advertised online.
The lawsuit alleges the company “generated millions of dollars by regularly and repeatedly charging shoppers more at the register than the prices it advertises,” in violation of both federal and state laws regarding consumer fraud, according to a statement from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
“Overcharging for products at a time when many basic necessities have become less affordable harms vulnerable families and consumers,” Raoul said.
Dollar General didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
In two instances detailed in court documents, Illinois consumers were charged $0.75 to $1.78 more than was advertised online. Examples from other states allege the company charged more than four dollars above the listed price and didn’t honor coupons.
“Whatever the register rings up, that will be the price, and we can’t give you [a] discount,” an Illinois Dollar General store manager is alleged to have told a customer upset about the price differences in April 2024, per the lawsuit.
An FTC investigator who went undercover to make purchases at one location found the screens displaying the prices as items were rung up faced only the employee; in other cases, those screens were broken, according to the lawsuit.
Joining Illinois in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
