FTC Issues $72 Million in Refunds to Fortnite Players Due to Epic Games’ $245 Million Settlement for Unwanted Purchases and Unauthorized Charges
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FTC Issues $72 Million in Refunds to Fortnite Players Due to Epic Games’ $245 Million Settlement for Unwanted Purchases and Unauthorized Charges

Jan 18 GL  

Fortnite Players to Receive Millions in Refunds Due to FTC Settlement

Unwanted Purchases and Unauthorized Charges

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is issuing refunds totaling more than $72 million to over 629,000 Fortnite players who were tricked into making unwanted purchases by Epic Games, the game’s developer. This move is part of a settlement announced in December 2022, where Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to resolve allegations of unlawful billing practices.

Allegations Against Epic Games

The FTC alleged that Epic Games used deceptive design tactics, known as dark patterns, to trick players of all ages into incurring unwanted charges. For instance, players could be charged while trying to wake the game from sleep mode, during loading screens, or by accidentally pressing the wrong button. The game’s counterintuitive and confusing button configuration led to numerous unauthorized purchases.

Additionally, Epic Games allowed children to rack up charges on their parents’ credit cards without any parental consent. Some users who disputed these unauthorized charges were blocked from accessing their purchased content, further exacerbating the issue.

Settlement Terms

As part of the settlement, Epic Games must obtain positive consent before charging users and is banned from locking players out of their accounts for disputing unauthorized charges. This ensures that players have more control over their in-game purchases and protects them from unexpected charges.

Refund Process

The FTC is sending out the first round of payments, with recipients receiving either PayPal payments or checks. Consumers selected their preferred payment method when they completed their claim forms. It is crucial for recipients to redeem their PayPal payments within 30 days and cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. The average refund amount is approximately $114.

For those who have questions about their payments, the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., can be contacted at 1-833-915-0880 or via email at [email protected]. The FTC also provides a FAQ page on their website for additional information.

Eligibility and Claim Process

Consumers are eligible for a refund if they were charged for unwanted in-game items between January 2017 and September 2022, if their child made unauthorized charges to their credit card between January 2017 and November 2018, or if their account was locked after disputing wrongful charges between January 2017 and September 2022.

To apply for a refund, individuals must file a claim online by January 10, 2025. The claim form is available at www.ftc.gov/fortnite. Applicants need either a claim number or their Epic Account ID to complete the form. If an email with a claim number was not received, the Epic Account ID can be located by following the steps provided on the FTC website.

Important Notes

  • Deadline: The deadline to file a claim is January 10, 2025.
  • Age Requirement: Only individuals aged 18 or older can complete the claim form. Minors must have a parent or guardian complete the form on their behalf.
  • Account Impact: Filing a claim will not affect your Fortnite account or any items you have purchased.
  • International Players: Currently, the claims process is limited to Fortnite players in the U.S.

Additional Payments and Future Updates

The FTC expects to send additional payments in 2025 after reviewing and validating all claims. For those who filed claims after October 8, 2024, there is no need to take further action at this time. The FTC will provide more information as it becomes available.

This settlement and the subsequent refunds highlight the FTC’s commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive business practices and ensuring that companies adhere to fair and transparent billing methods.

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