Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Tuesday that his office has filed a lawsuit against retail chain Dollar General, alleging the company illegally overcharged customers by failing to update shelf‑price stickers.
State investigation uncovers widespread pricing errors
Jackson told reporters that state inspectors discovered 400 pricing inaccuracies at Dollar General locations throughout North Carolina, a state that hosts more than 1,000 stores – at least one in every town. “We’re suing Dollar General because they’re ripping people off, and they know it,” the AG said. “They’ve failed state inspections and been told over and over to fix these mistakes. They haven’t, so we’ll see them in court.”
The attorney general’s office says the chain has ignored multiple opportunities to correct the problem. According to Jackson, Dollar General has failed thousands of state pricing inspections and has received nearly 30,000 complaints about overcharging nationwide. Just last week, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture fined ten Dollar General locations for charging customers more than the posted price.
Federal action mirrors state concerns
The lawsuit comes on the heels of a broader federal effort. The Federal Trade Commission, together with 19 other states, has sued Dollar General for “long‑running deceptive pricing practices” that allegedly violate the FTC Act, the Gramm‑Leach‑Bliley Act, and state consumer‑protection statutes.
Jackson emphasized that the issue is not isolated to a single store but reflects a pattern of conduct that harms everyday North Carolinians. “Over a million North Carolinians shop at Dollar General every week, and they are ripping people off,” he said.
What shoppers can do
Consumers who suspect they have been overcharged are encouraged to check receipts before leaving the store and to ask staff to correct any price discrepancies. Complaints can be filed with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Consumer Services’ Standards Division via an online form or by calling 984‑236‑4751.
The attorney general’s office will continue to monitor Dollar General’s compliance with state pricing laws and will pursue further legal action if the chain does not promptly address the violations.
Broader implications for retail pricing practices
This case underscores the importance of transparent pricing for families and faith‑based communities that rely on affordable retail options. By holding large retailers accountable, the Trump administration’s emphasis on protecting consumers and promoting fair market practices is reinforced at the state level.
North Carolina residents can expect the lawsuit to proceed through the courts, with the goal of ensuring that shelf prices accurately reflect the amount charged at checkout.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
