FTC sends $72M in payments to Fortnite players

Update:

• Consumers must file a valid claim form by Jan. 10, 2025, to receive an Fortnite refund under the FTC lawsuit.
• The Federal Trade Commission sent more than $72 million in payments to nearly 630,000 Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted purchases and filed a valid claim form by Oct. 8. 
• The Fortnite payments are being sent as part of a $245 million lawsuit settlement made to end claims the commission brought against Fortnite maker Epic Games. 
• The FTC says it is still reviewing claims filed after Oct. 8 and will offer more information on those claims soon. 
• The settlement also benefits individuals whose children made charges to their credit cards without their knowledge and who had their account locked after complaining to their credit card company about wrongful charges. 
• The FTC urged claimants who receive a check to cash it within 90 days and those who receive a PayPal payment to accept it within 30 days. 

The Federal Trade Commission secured a $245 million lawsuit settlement deal with Fortnite maker Epic Games to resolve claims that the company tricked young users into making large purchases. Consumers can file a claim to receive a cash refund for Fortnite purchases.

The FTC settlement benefits consumers who were charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022, individuals whose children made charges to their credit card through Epic Games without their knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018 and those whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after they complained to their credit card company about wrongful charges.

According to the FTC, Epic Games used misleading business practices to charge gamers for unwanted items. The company also allegedly allowed children to make large purchases on their credit cards and locked the accounts of consumers who disputed unwanted charges.

Epic Games is a video game developer best known for Fortnite — one of the most popular games in the world. 

Epic Games agreed to pay more than half a billion dollars to resolve the FTC’s Fortnite lawsuit; of that amount, $245 million will be used to fund consumer refunds. Epic Games has also agreed to pay $275 million in penalties to the FTC.

Under the terms of the Epic Games lawsuit settlement, consumers can file a claim to receive a cash refund for Fortnite purchases. No refund estimates are available at this time. Payment amounts will vary depending on the number of claims filed and the amount of damages claimed by each consumer. 

There is no exclusion or objection deadline for the Fortnite refunds settlement. 

There is no final approval hearing for the Fortnite refunds settlement. The FTC submitted its order for injunction and penalties Feb. 7, 2023.

To receive an Fortnite refund under the FTC lawsuit settlement, consumers must file a valid claim form by Jan. 10, 2025. Only consumers over the age of 18 can file a claim. Minors who are eligible for the settlement must have a parent or guardian complete the claim form on their behalf. 

Who’s Eligible

1. Consumers who were charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022
2. Individuals whose children made charges to their credit card through Epic Games without their knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018
3. Those whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after they complained to their credit card company about wrongful charges

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

Epic Account ID

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/10/2025

Case Name

USA v. Epic Games Inc., Case No. 5:22-CV-00518-BO, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Final Hearing

02/07/2023

Settlement Website

www.FTC.gov/Enforcement/Refunds/Fortnite-Refunds

Claims Administrator

[email protected]
833-915-0880

Class Counsel

N/A

Defense Counsel

N/A