Latest news with #fortnite
The Verge
9 hours ago
- The Verge
The FTC has reopened claims for Fortnite settlement refunds: here's how you can submit one
Eligible Fortnite players who felt bamboozled into making unwanted purchases have been given a second chance to request a refund. The Federal Trade Commission has reopened applications to receive refunds from the $245 million settlement that Epic Games reached with the agency until July 9th, after previously closing requests in February. The agreement was announced in 2022 as part of a broader $520 million FTC settlement over privacy violations and alleged use of design tricks that duped players into accidentally buying in-game items. The first wave of 629,344 refunds was issued in December 2024, with the FTC now announcing that it sent out 969,173 new payments on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total amount of refunds to nearly $200 million. You can apply to receive a refund by visiting Specific details about eligibility are also available on the site, but the FTC says you can submit a claim if: You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022. Your child made charges to your 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. Applications are limited to Fortnite players in the US who are aged 18 or over, otherwise, the FTC says a parent must apply on your behalf. The FTC says it expects additional payments to be sent out in 2026 'after we have reviewed and validated all claims.'
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Fortnite refunds roll out again: Here's how to claim your share from FTC settlement
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday, June 25, that it is issuing over $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were unfairly charged for in-game purchases they didn't intend to make. So, if you or your child made accidental purchases in Fortnite, here's what you need to know about claiming your refund. To claim refunds for accidental Fortnite purchases, players must submit claims by July 9, 2025. (Representative Image: Unsplash ) Also Read: NBA Draft Day 2: When and where to watch for free? Streaming details, channels and more As part of its 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the FTC is now reopening the claims process for eligible Fortnite players, including parents or guardians of minors. Epic agreed to pay $245 million after the agency accused the company of using 'deceptive practices' that led players to make unintended in-game purchases. The first round of refunds was issued in December 2024 by the FTC, where the agency made over 629,000 payments, bringing the total sum to $72 million. In its latest round of refunds, the agency sent out nearly 970,000 payments, including checks and PayPal transactions. However, these will only reach consumers who have filled out a valid claim. On June 25, the FTC stated, 'Today's announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumer related to Epic's deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million,' in a news release, as reported by USA Today. Also Read: Jasmine Crockett mocks Melania Trump's modelling career, even questions her EB1 visa How to claim Fortnite refunds? According to the agency, consumers chose their preferred payment method, check or PayPal, when completing the claim form. Check recipients must cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated, while PayPal users have 30 days to redeem their funds. Those who haven't filed a claim yet have until July 9, 2025, to do so at Fortnite is known for its popular Battle Royale mode, which allows up to 100 players to fight in one go until there is one last standing. The game is free to download; however, there are in-game purchases, which are known as microtransactions among gamers. These microtransactions can be anything from costumes to certain dance moves, which gamers have understood over a period of time. However, FTC believes that Epic Games used 'dark patterns' to disguise in-game purchase prompts, leading players, often children, to unknowingly make purchases. In some cases, a single button press, such as waking the game from sleep or previewing an item, triggered charges without consent. These practices occurred between 2017 and 2022.
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
FTC Issues Nearly $126M in Refunds to Fortnite Players Over Deceptive Charges
Nearly one million Fortnite players in the US are getting refunds this week after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that the game's maker, Epic Games, used unfair tactics to charge people without permission. The refunds are part of a larger settlement agreement reached in 2022. On June 25 and 26, the FTC announced that it would send out 969,173 payments totaling nearly $126 million, CBS News said. These payments will go to players—or their parents—who were tricked into buying items in the game they didn't mean to purchase. Some of the players were kids who used their parents' credit cards without understanding what was happening. This is the second round of payments. The first wave was in December 2024, when over $22 million was returned to more than 629,000 Fortnite users. The refunds come from a $245 million settlement that Epic Games agreed to pay after the FTC accused the company of using "dark patterns." These are sneaky design tricks that confuse users into spending money. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending out over 969,000 payments worth more than $126 million to Fortnite gamers charged for unwanted items. — Alex (@PlanoGaming) June 25, 2025 FTC Reopens Fortnite Refund Claims Until July 9 The FTC also fined Epic $275 million in a separate case for breaking children's online privacy rules—bringing the total amount to more than $520 million. If you think you may be eligible for a refund but didn't apply earlier, there's good news: the FTC has reopened the claim process until July 9. You can apply at . To file a claim, you'll need your Epic Account ID or the claim number sent by the FTC. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian file the request on their behalf, PC Gamer said. Refunds will be issued either by check or through PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal refunds should be accepted within 30 days. The FTC says this case is a warning to all companies that target kids or use misleading tools to make money. Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a previous statement, "Protecting children and ensuring companies follow the law will remain a top priority." Originally published on
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fortnite players could be eligible for some cash: How to get a refund
The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday, June 25 it is sending more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game. The agency also said it is reopening the process for Fortnite players, or their parents or guardians, to submit a claim stemming from the FTC's 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the game's developer. Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle the FTC's allegations that the developer used "deceptive practices" to trick players into making unwanted purchases. The FTC issued its first round of refunds in December 2024, which saw the agency send over 629,000 payments totaling more than $72 million. In the latest round of refunds, the agency says it will send nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to consumers who have filed a valid claim. "Today's announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumer related to Epic's deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million," the FTC said in a news release June 25. The FTC said consumers selected their payment method when they completed their claim form. Check recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicted on the check, while PayPal recipients should redeem their payments within 30 days, the agency said. Eligible consumers who have not yet submitted a claim have until July 9, 2025, to submit one at Fortnite, best known for its Battle Royale mode in which up to 100 players can fight it out to the last one standing, is free to download and play. But the game charges players for a slew of in-game items and experiences – known among gamers as microtransactions – such as costumes and dance moves. Microtransactions are a common feature in video games and one many gamers have come to expect and understand. But according to the FTC, Epic Games used a design tactic known as "dark patterns" that concealed in-game purchases, allowing children to rack up unauthorized charges without parental consent. In some cases, just the single accidental press of one button led players of all ages to incur charges that they hadn't agreed to, the FTC says. This could occur for players who tried to wake the game from sleep mode or who pressed a button to merely preview a purchasable item, the agency said in a complaint, which outline offenses from 2017 to 2022. Epic Games also was accused of locking customers who disputed unauthorized charges out of their accounts, causing them to lose access to all the content they purchased. Under a proposed administrative order with the FTC, Epic agreed to pay $245 million, which will be used to refund consumers. The settlement, reached in December 2022, represents the FTC's largest refund amount in a gaming case. Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fortnite refund: How to file a claim, get a check from FTC
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Fortnite players could be eligible for a refund: How to file a claim
The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday, June 25 it is sending more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game. The agency also said it is reopening the process for Fortnite players, or their parents or guardians, to submit a claim stemming from the FTC's 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the game's developer. Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle the FTC's allegations that the developer used "deceptive practices" to trick players into making unwanted purchases. The FTC issued its first round of refunds in December 2024, which saw the agency send over 629,000 payments totaling more than $72 million. In the latest round of refunds, the agency says it will send nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to consumers who have filed a valid claim. "Today's announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumer related to Epic's deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million," the FTC said in a news release June 25. The FTC said consumers selected their payment method when they completed their claim form. Check recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicted on the check, while PayPal recipients should redeem their payments within 30 days, the agency said. Eligible consumers who have not yet submitted a claim have until July 9, 2025, to submit one at FTC says Epic Games 'tricked' customers into unwanted purchases Fortnite, best known for its Battle Royale mode in which up to 100 players can fight it out to the last one standing, is free to download and play. But the game charges players for a slew of in-game items and experiences – known among gamers as microtransactions – such as costumes and dance moves. Microtransactions are a common feature in video games and one many gamers have come to expect and understand. But according to the FTC, Epic Games used a design tactic known as "dark patterns" that concealed in-game purchases, allowing children to rack up unauthorized charges without parental consent. In some cases, just the single accidental press of one button led players of all ages to incur charges that they hadn't agreed to, the FTC says. This could occur for players who tried to wake the game from sleep mode or who pressed a button to merely preview a purchasable item, the agency said in a complaint, which outline offenses from 2017 to 2022. Epic Games also was accused of locking customers who disputed unauthorized charges out of their accounts, causing them to lose access to all the content they purchased. Under a proposed administrative order with the FTC, Epic agreed to pay $245 million, which will be used to refund consumers. The settlement, reached in December 2022, represents the FTC's largest refund amount in a gaming case. Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
