FTC Refunds $126 Million to Fortnite Players Over Unwanted Charges: Who’s Eligible and How to Claim
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In one of the largest video game-related settlements to date, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued $126 million in refunds to nearly 1 million Fortnite players who were wrongly charged for in-game items they never meant to buy. This second round of payouts is part of a broader $245 million refund agreement with Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, following allegations of deceptive billing practices.
Why Are Fortnite Players Getting Refunds?
The refunds stem from a 2022 FTC settlement where Epic Games agreed to pay $520 million to resolve two major complaints:
- Violations of children’s privacy laws.
- Use of “dark patterns”—misleading user interfaces designed to trick players (especially minors) into making unintentional purchases.
Examples included confusing button placements, accidental purchases during loading screens, and making it hard to cancel or dispute charges. Some users were even locked out of their accounts after challenging these payments.
What’s New in the Second Refund Round?
Between June 25 and 26, 2025, the FTC distributed 969,173 payments totaling $126 million. This is the second major payout, following an earlier round in December 2024, where $72 million was refunded to over 629,000 players.
- Average refund this time: $130
- Combined total refunded: Nearly $200 million
- Funds remaining: About $47 million
Am I Eligible for a Fortnite Refund?
You might qualify if any of these apply:
- You were charged for unwanted in-game items between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Your child made unauthorized charges to your credit card from January 2017 to November 2018.
- Your account was locked after you disputed a charge during this period.
How to File a Refund Claim
The FTC has reopened the claims process with a new deadline: July 9, 2025. Here’s how to apply:
- Go to www.fortniterefund.com/file-a-claim.
- Use your claim number (sent via email) or your Epic Account ID.
- Parents or guardians must file for minors.
There are no fees, and the FTC won’t ask for any sensitive information to process your refund.
How Will I Get Paid?
- Checks must be cashed within 90 days.
- PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days.
- Questions? Contact Rust Consulting, Inc. at 1-833-915-0880 or [email protected].
Quick Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Refunds | $126 million (this round) |
| Deadline to Claim | July 9, 2025 |
| Who Can Claim | Players/parents charged between Jan 2017–Sep 2022 |
| Refund Site | fortniterefund.com |
| Average Refund | $130 |
| Payment Method | Check (90 days) or PayPal (30 days) |
| Support Contact | 1-833-915-0880 / [email protected] |
The FTC’s refund action sends a clear message: game developers must prioritize fair and transparent practices, especially when children are involved. With one more batch of payments still expected, players impacted by unwanted Fortnite charges still have time to get their share—but only if they act before July 9.
