HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a $1.55 million settlement with Dollar General Corporation and its parent company after a statewide investigation found that customers were repeatedly charged more at checkout than the prices advertised on store shelves.
The Office of Attorney General uncovered persistent pricing inaccuracies at Dollar General’s more than 900 locations across Pennsylvania, including failed inspections in over 40 percent of visits between 2019 and 2023. Investigators reported numerous cases where register prices exceeded shelf labels, prompting allegations that the company violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
“Our investigation found widespread and repeated instances of Pennsylvanians being overcharged at checkout — blatant deception of customers all over the Commonwealth,” Sunday said. He added that the settlement should be a wake-up call for the retailer, noting that “Pennsylvanians expect to pay the price that is on stickers and labels.”
Under the agreement, Dollar General will pay penalties and investigative costs totaling $1.55 million and implement business-practice reforms aimed at preventing future violations. Those improvements include weekly shelf-tag updates, enhanced staff training, and obligations to honor the lowest advertised price.
The settlement also requires the company to increase oversight of pricing accuracy. Each store must undergo at least two unannounced audits per fiscal year, while any location failing three or more audits within 12 months must go through an enhanced audit or full-store assessment. Known pricing errors must be corrected within 24 hours, and notices will be posted at every register advising customers they can request a price override if the shelf price is lower.
Consumers who encounter price discrepancies at retailers are encouraged to submit complaints to the Bureau of Consumer Protection online, by calling 717-787-3391, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
The settlement was submitted as an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County by Deputy Attorney General Jaimie George.
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