Walgreens has agreed to pay Vermont $500,000 to resolve allegations of systematically overcharging customers at checkout, even after repeated warnings from state inspectors.

Burlington, VT – November 2025 – The Vermont Attorney General’s Office announced that Walgreens will pay $500,000 to settle a consumer protection lawsuit accusing the pharmacy giant of widespread overcharging at the register across dozens of Vermont locations, including former Rite Aid stores.

Key Details of the Walgreens Vermont Settlement

•  Settlement Amount: $500,000

•  Time Period: 2018–2024

•  Stores Inspected: 60 Walgreens and former Rite Aid locations in Vermont

•  Overcharge Errors Found: 416 documented instances

•  Median Overcharge: $1.92 per item

•  Range of Overcharges: 4 cents to $23.40 per item

•  Additional Donation: $25,000 to the Community Health Center of Burlington

State inspectors repeatedly notified Walgreens of pricing discrepancies where the price scanned at the register was higher than the advertised shelf price, yet many errors went uncorrected for years, violating Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act.

Under the settlement, Walgreens did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to:

•  Pay the $500,000 penalty and donation

•  Strengthen and strictly follow its pricing accuracy and compliance policies statewide

Why This Matters for Vermont Shoppers

Overcharging at checkout (also called scanner price errors or price accuracy violations) is one of the most common consumer complaints nationwide. Even small overcharges of $1–$3 add up quickly for families, especially on groceries, over-the-counter medications, and everyday essentials.

Vermont’s aggressive enforcement serves as a warning to other big-box and pharmacy retailers: repeated pricing errors after notification can lead to significant financial penalties.