Fortnite players who find themselves making unwanted purchases in the popular online video game now have more options than just smashing their controllers in frustration.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Tuesday that it is informing 37 million people who may be eligible for a refund from Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. In 2022, Epic Games agreed to pay $520 million to settle allegations by the government that it engaged in deceptive practices, including the use of “dark patterns,” to trick players into purchasing items such as costumes, dance moves, and loot crates.
In addition, the FTC stated that Epic Games made it easy for children under the age of 13 to accumulate charges without their parents’ consent, a violation of a federal law designed to protect children’s privacy. Furthermore, when players disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies, Epic Games allegedly locked their Fortnite accounts.
Of the $520 million settlement, $245 million will be allocated for providing refunds to eligible consumers. According to the FTC, you may qualify for a refund if:
- You were charged in-game currency for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022
- Your child made in-game purchases using your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018
- Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you reported unwanted charges from playing Fortnite to your credit card company
How to file a Fortnite claim
Consumers can visit the claim site to begin filing their claim. For more information on how to file a claim, visit www.ftc.gov/Fortnite.
To file a claim, you will need a claim number or your Epic Account ID. The FTC will provide a claim number in an email sent to Fortnite players, and these emails will continue to be sent for one month starting from September 19. The deadline to submit a claim is January 17, 2024. If you have any questions, you can contact the FTC at (888) 915-0880 or email them at [email protected].
How much will you receive?
The exact refund amount per person is currently unknown. The FTC stated that the final amount will depend on various factors, including the number of people who file a claim.
Epic Games stated last year that it had implemented additional measures to prevent unintended purchases. “The video game industry is a place of rapid innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are crucial,” the company said prior to the FTC settlement. “The laws governing the industry have not changed, but the enforcement and interpretation of those laws have evolved. Long-standing industry practices are no longer sufficient.”
Epic Games released an updated statement referring people to the FTC’s page.
—The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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