Family Dollar reaches $63 million settlement over repeated overcharges

Family Dollar has agreed to a proposed $63 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and 17 states over allegations that it repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than prices advertised on shelves, in mailers, on its website and in its app. Regulators said the overcharges continued despite consumer complaints, failed inspections and earlier enforcement actions, and disproportionately harmed shoppers on tight budgets, including those in communities with few affordable shopping options. The agreement includes a $40 million fund for eligible customers, a $20 million customer discount program and more than $3 million for the states. Family Dollar would also have to notify consumers about potential payments and establish a pricing-accuracy program with employee training, price checks and independent annual reviews; the company did not admit or deny wrongdoing.