Hundreds of thousands of players in the U.S. who have engaged with the popular online game Fortnite may soon receive refunds after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) determined that they were unlawfully charged for purchases they did not intend to make. The FTC has announced a plan to distribute 629,344 refunds, totaling over $72 million, to affected Fortnite players as part of a larger settlement with game developer Epic Games.
The settlement, which was first disclosed in December 2022, comes after allegations that Epic Games misled consumers, particularly allowing children to make unauthorized purchases without parental consent. Furthermore, the settlement stated that Epic Games had restricted access to purchased content for some users who disputed these unwanted charges, describing the company’s practices as “counterintuitive, consistent, and confusing.”
On Monday, the FTC initiated the first round of refunds, with approximately half of the payments made via checks and the other half through PayPal. The average refund amount is around $114.
Eligibility for refunds is based on several criteria. Users can apply if they: were charged for unwanted in-game items from January 2017 to September 2022; had children who incurred unauthorized charges between January 2017 and November 2018; or had their accounts locked after disputing unauthorized charges. To file a claim, individuals must be at least 18 years old, although parents or guardians may submit claims on behalf of those under 18.
The claim process is exclusive to U.S. Fortnite players, and users are encouraged to submit claims before the deadline of January 10, 2025. Payments will be determined based on various factors, including the total number of claims received.
According to the FTC, players who have submitted valid claims can expect their refunds soon, with additional payments anticipated in 2025 once further claims have been validated.
In light of this situation, it’s reassuring to see regulatory oversight prioritizing consumer protection, and many players can look forward to recovering funds that were mistakenly charged. This case highlights the importance of transparency and fair practices in the gaming industry, ultimately leading to better protections for consumers.
For further assistance, impacted users can contact the refund administrator at 1-833-915-0880 or via email at admin@fortniterefund.com.