Walmart ordered to pay $5.6M to settle California lawsuit claiming shoppers were overcharged

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Walmart will pay more than $5 million to settle a consumer protection lawsuit accusing the company of overcharging its customers, officials in California announced on Friday.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that Walmart allegedly overcharged customers and sold food items that had less weight than what was shown on the label.

The complaint also said that the retailer “unlawfully charged customers prices higher than their lowest advertised or posted price.”

Officials said these actions violated California’s False Advertising and Unfair Competition Laws. Walmart has 280 locations in California, with 10 in Santa Clara County.

The release said Walmart has previously faced similar allegations. In 2012, the retailer paid $2.1 million for overcharging consumers in violation of a 2008 judgment.

“When someone brings an item to the register to be scanned, the price must be right,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in the release. “They expect it. California expects it. My Office expects it – and we will apply the law to make sure of it.”

Walmart was ordered to pay $5.5 million in civil penalties and to “maintain employees who will be responsible for price and weight accuracy in California stores,” the release said.

The retailer will also pay $139,908.92 to cover the costs of the investigations conducted by various weights and measures departments in the state.

Walmart said in a statement to KNWA/FOX24 on Monday that the company was pleased the matter was resolved.