Almost 1.6 million payments have already been issued from the FTC to Fortnite gamers.
If you’re one of the Fortnite gamers who were deceived by Epic Games’ in-game purchase process, but you missed the October and January deadlines to file for compensation from a settlement, you’ve got another chance. The Federal Trade Commission has reopened the process for eligible claimants to get money back in the $245 million settlement related to the use of illegal tactics that boosted in-game sales.
Fortnite players charged for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 who haven’t already filed now have until July 9, 2025, to participate in the settlement by filing a claim. The FTC says that since December, 629,344 payments went out to players who made those in-game purchases and who filed a valid claim by Oct. 8. The average payout was about $114 per customer and totaled $72 million.
Another round of settlement money is being distributed June 25 and June 26 via checks and PayPal on 969,173 claims for another $126 million in payouts, the FTC says.
In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Epic Games used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. “Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button,” the agency said in its March 2023 announcement.
What’s changed?
The FTC apparently still has about $47 million left to distribute from the settlement. On June 25, the agency posted a notice alerting those who haven’t yet filed that they now have until July 9, 2025 to submit a claim at ftc.gov/fortnite.
The Fortnite settlement applies to anyone who was charged for in-game currency for items they did not want to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022; if a child made credit card charges without a parent’s knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; or if an account was locked after a charge was disputed between January 2017 and September 2022.
Eligible Fortnite claims will be paid via check or PayPal.
Those filing must be 18 or older; minors can ask a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf.
One CNET staffer received his PayPal deposit (for $95.98) from a Fortnite claim in January, a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement.
Epic’s Fortnite is wildly popular, especially with teens; in one game event last year, 44.7 million players participated on a single day. But the free-to-play game relies on players buying Battle Passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency.
Like other games-as-platforms that have a large audience of young people, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved on how to make its game secure for young people and to ensure that payments aren’t being generated without the player’s authorization.
How can I file a Fortnite claim?
When you visit the FTC’s Epic Games/Fortnite page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received a notification email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then provide your claim number and solve a CAPTCHA test to submit your claim.
If you didn’t receive a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can apply for a Fortnite claim using your Epic account ID. If you’re not sure of your Epic account ID, follow these steps from the Epic Games support page.
Epic Games introduced LegoFortnite back in December 2023.
When and how will I receive my money from the FTC?
Eligible claims submitted by Oct. 8, 2024 and January have already started receiving payments from the FTC. The FTC has not specified when money for new claims filed by July 9 will be distributed.
During the claims process on the FTC site, you will be able to specify whether you’d like to be paid with a check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For questions about your payment, you can call a claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or email admin@fortniterefund.com.
Will filing a claim against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account?
According to the FTC, filing a claim will not impact the status of a player’s Fortnite account. For more information, see the FTC’s Fortnite refunds FAQ.
