Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Friday that the Family Dollar store chain has agreed to a $63 million pricing settlement. Illinois will receive more than $188,000.
Illinois joined 17 other states and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a lawsuit against the store chain, alleging that it routinely charged customers higher prices at the register than those displayed on shelves. Under the terms of the settlement, Family Dollar must create a $40 million compensation fund for eligible consumers and a $20 million discount program for customers. The states that brought the lawsuit will be paid $3 million.
Kwame Raoul said Illinois is to receive $188,548. “Family Dollar’s overcharging for products at a time when many basic necessities have become less affordable harms families and communities in difficult circumstances,” said a statement issued by the Illinois attorney general. “I am pleased with this settlement, which holds Family Dollar accountable and puts in place measures to ensure the company does not inflate prices for consumers in the future. I remain committed to protecting Illinois consumers from unfair business practices,” he added.
The store chain is also prohibited from misleading customers about prices and must develop and implement a price accuracy program that will be independently assessed and certified every year.
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Source: Polski.FM
