Family Dollar reaches $63 million settlement with US FTC, states over customer overcharges

Nov 12 (Reuters) – Family Dollar reached a $63 million settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission and ​17 states of allegations that ‌the discount retailer overcharged shoppers, including by charging more at the register than it advertises on its website and ‌mobile ​app. According to settlement ⁠papers filed on ⁠Thursday in the Norfolk, Virginia federal court, Family Dollar will offer $40 million of restitution and $20 million ​of future discounts to eligible shoppers, and pay $3 million ⁠to the states. The ⁠FTC and states accused ​Family Dollar of violating federal and ​state laws against deceptive practices, “betraying the ‌trust” of millions of American consumers who rely on it for essentials, and “imposing significant financial ⁠harm on the communities that can least afford it.” Family Dollar did not admit ⁠or ‌deny wrongdoing in agreeing ⁠to settle. The Chesapeake, ​Virginia-based ‌company and its lawyer ​did not ⁠immediately respond to requests for comment. Family Dollar has more than 8,000 stores, according to its website. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in ​New York)