《卫报》的调查揭示了美国两大便利店连锁企业7-Eleven和Circle K存在在收银台或加油泵处收取高于标牌承诺价格的问题。1根据2023年至2025年间的调查数据，7-Eleven在亚利桑那州41%的价格检查中不合格，在科罗拉多州和犹他州各47%的检查中不合格；Circle K在佛罗里达州35%的检查中不合格，亚利桑那州39%，北卡罗来纳州62%。1
针对这一调查结果，美国众议院五名议员随后呼吁联邦贸易委员会进行调查并追究责任。1众议员贝卡·鲍林特表示："这些大公司现在本质上是强迫我们逐一核对每个价格标签和收据。"1众议员德莉娅·拉米雷斯则指出："通过价格欺诈、价格垄断、掠夺性算法和企业垄断，企业将利润置于人民之上。"1经济学家迪恩·贝克建议对每次超收都处以50美元罚款以阻止欺诈行为。1此外，30名众议院议员曾就美国两大折扣店Dollar General和Family Dollar的定价行为签署联合信函。1
A Guardian investigation has uncovered systematic price discrepancies at two major U.S. convenience store chains, with charges at checkout or fuel pumps exceeding advertised shelf or pump prices.1 In response, five House members have called for federal intervention to address what they characterize as widespread retail fraud.1
The investigation documented significant compliance failures at both chains across multiple states during 2023–2025.1 At 7-Eleven, 41% of price checks failed in Arizona, while Colorado and Utah each recorded 47% failure rates.1 Circle K showed 35% noncompliance in Florida, 39% in Arizona, and 62% in North Carolina.1 Representative Becka Bouldin expressed frustration at the scale of the problem, stating: "These big corporations are now essentially forcing us to individually check every price tag and receipt."1 Representative Delia Ramirez framed the issue within a broader pattern of corporate behavior, asserting: "Through price fraud, price fixing, predatory algorithms and corporate monopolies, corporations are putting profits over people."1
Lawmakers are pushing for heightened enforcement action, including Federal Trade Commission investigation and accountability measures.1 Economist Dean Baker has proposed imposing a $50 penalty per overcharge to deter such practices.1 The attention reflects growing congressional scrutiny of pricing practices in the retail sector; thirty House members previously signed a joint letter addressing pricing conduct at discount chains Dollar General and Family Dollar.1
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