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Fortnite players who were wrongly charged for unwanted in-game purchases are set to receive a share of a $126 million refund this week, following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The refunds stem from a $245 million agreement reached between the FTC and Fortnite’s developer, Epic Games, over allegations of deceptive online practices that led to players, including minors, being tricked into making unauthorised purchases.
FTC initially announced the settlement in December 2022, marking it as the largest refund the agency had ever issued in a gaming industry case.
The settlement follows accusations that Epic Games misled consumers into making in-game transactions they otherwise wouldn’t have made.
FTC also announced it will issue nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to those who submitted valid claims, following an earlier round of payments in December 2022 totalling over $22 million.
For Fortnite players seeking compensation, the FTC has set up a dedicated website where they can confirm their eligibility for a refund.
The original deadline for filing claims was February 14, but the agency has now extended it to July 9. Players who have already submitted a claim after February 14 need not take further action.
Those receiving checks are advised to cash them within 90 days, while PayPal refunds must be accepted within 30 days.
To apply for a refund, players will need their claim number or Epic Account ID. For those under 18, a parent or guardian will need to submit the claim on their behalf.
Players on social media have shared screenshots, confirming their refund amounts.
This action follows a separate 2023 agreement in which Epic Games was fined $275 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule, adding further scrutiny to the company’s practices.
