By Sagar V. Mankar 
More than 600,000 Fortnite players in the U.S. are set to receive refunds following a settlement between Epic Games and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The refunds come after regulators accused the game developer of using deceptive practices that led players to make unintended in-game purchases.
On December 9, the FTC announced it would distribute over $72 million to affected players, with additional payments planned later. Each impacted player will receive an average refund of $114, based on the agency’s calculations.
Why Are Players Receiving Refunds?
This announcement follows a 2022 settlement where Epic Games agreed to pay a total of $520 million. The allegations included collecting children’s personal data without proper parental consent and using a confusing interface that led to accidental purchases.
According to FTC report, players could unknowingly spend money while attempting to wake the game from sleep mode, navigating loading screens, or previewing items. The agency highlighted that children were also able to make purchases without parental approval.
While Epic did not admit wrongdoing, the company agreed to implement changes to its privacy policies and adjust how in-game transactions are handled. Updated Fortnite’s purchasing system now requires explicit player consent before completing any transaction.
How to Claim Your Refund
Players who incurred wrongful charges between January 2017 and September 2022 may be eligible for a refund. Claims can be filed under the following conditions:
- You were charged for items you didn’t intend to purchase using V-Bucks during the specified period.
- Your child made unauthorized purchases using your credit card from January 2017 to November 2018.
- Your account was locked after disputing charges with your credit card company.
The FTC has established a dedicated webpage to guide players through the refund process. Claims must be submitted by January 10, 2025. Importantly, only individuals aged 18 or older can file claims; younger players will need a parent or guardian’s assistance.
Sources: FTC official press release