$126M Fortnite Refunds Sent: How to Claim Your Share of FTC Settlement by July 9

Good news for eligible Fortnite players: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently distributing another significant round of refunds stemming from its settlement with Epic Games, the developer behind the popular battle royale game. This latest payout totals over $126 million and affects nearly a million consumers. Even if you missed previous opportunities, the window to claim your potential refund has reopened.

The FTC announced on June 25 that it is sending out checks and PayPal payments to consumers who previously filed valid claims. This follows an initial distribution of over $72 million in December 2024. Combined, these efforts have returned nearly $200 million to players affected by alleged deceptive practices.

Why is Epic Games Paying Refunds?

The refunds are part of a larger settlement totaling $520 million between Epic Games and the FTC, finalized in 2023. This settlement addressed two main areas: allegations of violating children’s privacy laws (COPPA) and accusations that Epic used “deceptive practices” to trick players into making unwanted purchases within Fortnite. The $245 million portion of the settlement is specifically allocated for consumer refunds.

According to the FTC, Epic Games employed design tactics often referred to as “dark patterns.” These hidden design elements allegedly concealed in-game purchases, leading to both children and adult players incurring unintended charges. The agency cited instances where players were charged simply by waking the game from sleep mode or by pressing a single button intended only to preview an item.

Furthermore, the FTC alleged that Epic Games sometimes locked players who disputed these wrongful charges out of their accounts, causing them to lose access to content they had already purchased. These alleged practices occurred between January 2017 and September 2022.

Are You Eligible for a Fortnite Refund?

You might be eligible for a refund if you meet specific criteria related to your Fortnite purchases or account activity during certain periods:

You were charged in-game currency for items you did not want between January 2017 and September 2022.
Your child made charges to a credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018.
Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges.

Claimants must be U.S. citizens. If you are under 18 but believe you are eligible based on your account activity, a parent or legal guardian must file the claim on your behalf.

How to File Your Refund Claim

If you believe you are eligible and have not yet received a payment or filed a claim, the FTC has reopened the claim submission process. The deadline to file your claim is July 9, 2025.

To apply, visit the official FTC website dedicated to this settlement: www.ftc.gov/fortnite.

You will likely need either a claim number (if you received notification) or your Epic Account ID to complete the online claim form.

What to Expect After Filing

The exact amount each eligible customer receives will vary depending on the total number of valid claims submitted. Previous refund rounds have seen average payments ranging from approximately $114 to $130.

If your claim is approved and you selected a payment method, be aware of the timelines:

Checks: Must be cashed within 90 days of issuance.

PayPal Payments: Must be redeemed within 30 days.

The FTC anticipates sending out additional payments in 2026 to process claims submitted by the new July 9th deadline.

Epic Games stated upon agreeing to the settlement that it accepted the terms and was already implementing changes to its systems to better meet player and regulatory expectations, aiming to be a leader in consumer protection.

If you were affected by unwanted charges in Fortnite, don’t miss this opportunity. Visit the FTC website before the July 9, 2025 deadline to submit your claim.