The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is giving back more than $126 million to Fortnite players who were charged for things they didn’t wish to buy in the game. This is the second tranche of payments, following a previous one in December 2024 that gave $72 million back to impacted users.
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Why Is Epic Games Refunding Fortnite Players?
The FTC went against Epic Games, the firm that makes Fortnite, for what it called “tricking users into making unwanted charges.” The FTC said in its complaint that Epic used dark patterns, which are design tricks that trick people into buying things they didn’t mean to. The commission also said that the corporation let kids make illicit purchases without their parents’ permission and that the game’s confusing button arrangement was a reason for inadvertent purchases.
In December 2022, Epic Games and the FTC came to two big agreements:
- A $245 million agreement to give back money for charges that weren’t wanted.
- A $275 million penalty for breaking the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Epic said that the game industry is changing quickly and that old laws are being read differently in today’s world. The company said it has made important changes to its system to better suit the needs of both players and regulators.
Who Is Eligible for a Fortnite Refund?
The FTC has made the claim window longer so that more people who are eligible can come forward. If you haven’t already filed a claim, here’s how to find out if you’re eligible:
You could be qualified if:
- From January 2017 until September 2022, you were charged for in-game stuff in Fortnite that you didn’t want.
- Your youngster made transactions on your credit card without your permission while playing Fortnite between January 2017 and November 2018.
- You couldn’t get into your Fortnite account between January 2017 and September 2022 because you disputed charges with your credit card company.
Already Filed a Claim After February 14, 2025?
You don’t need to do anything else right now if you filed your refund claim after February 14, 2025. The FTC has acknowledged that it is looking into those claims right now and will send out updates as they become available.
How to File a Fortnite Refund Claim
You should go to the FTC’s official website or the special refund page for this case if you think you qualify but haven’t made a claim yet. In most cases, the process includes authenticating your identification and the specifics of your Fortnite account and the transactions in question.
Make sure to file your claim before the deadline, which will be announced, to make sure you get your money back.
Why This Matters
This lawsuit is a big step forward for consumer rights in online stores, especially in video games, where people often buy things inside the game. It reminds corporations that they need to put user control and openness first, especially when kids are a big part of their audience.
If you play Fortnite or are the parent of someone who does, checking your eligibility could mean getting money back that you never meant to spend.
To get the latest news and file your claim, go to www.ftc.gov and look for the Fortnite refund settlement website.
