If you’re one of the Fortnite players who got scammed by Epic Games’ in-game purchase process, you need to deposit now before the deadline passes. The Federal Trade Commission has begun sending payments to eligible claimants in a $245 million settlement related to the use of illegal tactics that boosted sales in the game.
Fortnite players charged for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 still have one month left to participate in the settlement by submitting a claim before January 10, 2025.
In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Epic Games used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. “Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button setup caused players to experience unwanted charges based on a single button press,” the agency said in its March 2023 announcement.
Now the FTC says 629,344 payments are going to players who made those in-game purchases and who submitted a valid claim by October 8. The average payout is about $114 per customer.
Eligible Fortnite claims will be paid by check or PayPal.
A CNET employee received his PayPal deposit (for $95.98) from a Fortnite claim Monday afternoon, a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement.
Epic’s Fortnite is hugely popular, especially with teenagers; in one gaming event last year, 44.7 million players participated in a single day. But the free-to-play game relies on players buying Battle Passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency.
Like other platform games that have a large youth audience, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved how to make its game safe for young people and ensure that payments are not made without player authorization.
Who can file a Fortnite claim?
The Fortnite refund applies to anyone charged for in-game currency for items they didn’t want to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022; if a child made credit card charges without their parents’ knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; or if an account was blocked after a charge was disputed between January 2017 and September 2022.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older; minors may ask a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf.
How do I submit a Fortnite claim?
The FTC’s Fortnite settlement claim window is still open for those who haven’t yet filed. The window closes January 10, 2025the deadline for submitting the request for this solution.
When you visit the FTC’s Epic Games/Fortnite page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received a notification email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then enter your claim number and select a CAPTCHA test to submit your claim.
If you haven’t received a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can apply for a Fortnite claim using your Epic Account ID. If you’re unsure of your Epic Account ID, follow these steps from the Epic Games support page.
Epic Games introduced LEGO Fortnite in December 2023.
When and how will I get my money from the FTC?
Eligible claims filed by Oct. 8, 2024, have already begun receiving payments from the FTC, according to its Dec. 9 announcement. The FTC has not yet said when payments will be made for claims made after Oct. 8, only that it is “reviewing claims filed after that date and will provide more information soon.”
During the claims process on the FTC website, you will be able to specify whether you want to be paid by check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For questions about your payment, you can call a claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or email admin@fortniterefund.com.
Will filing a claim against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account?
According to the FTC, filing a claim will not affect the status of a player’s Fortnite account. For more information, see the FTC’s Fortnite Refunds FAQ.
