Family Dollar to pay $63m to settle overcharging allegations

Dollar-store chain’s settlement with FTC and state officials comes after Guardian exposé of its pricing practices

Discount store giant Family Dollar will pay $63m to settle claims by state and federal authorities that it frequently overcharged its customers for milk, diapers, batteries, toilet paper and other household goods.

The enforcement action announced Thursday by the Federal Trade Commission and 17 states followed a Guardian investigation that revealed Family Dollar and its larger rival, Dollar General, frequently charge more at checkout than the prices listed on their shelves. Family Dollar failed at least 2,100 price inspections in 20 states from 2022 to late 2025, the Guardian found.