The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved a second round of refunds totaling $126 million to nearly 970,000 Fortnite players, as part of a larger settlement with Epic Games over deceptive in-game purchases.
At the same time, the FTC has reopened its claims portal, allowing more eligible users to request refunds through July 9, 2025.
This marks the latest phase of the FTC’s settlement with Epic Games, first announced in December 2022, when the company agreed to pay $520 million to resolve claims it violated children’s privacy laws and used “dark patterns”—deceptive design tactics—to push users, including minors, into making unwanted purchases.
According to the FTC, these misleading practices included:
- Confusing or misleading purchase screens
- Promoting unclear offers
- Allowing underage players to buy items without parental approval
- Automatically charging players during previews, loading screens, or when waking the game from sleep mode
Worse still, users who attempted to dispute the charges often faced a difficult refund process and, in some cases, were even locked out of their accounts before a reversal could be completed.
In December 2024, the first round of refunds saw $72 million distributed to over 629,000 Fortnite players, with the average payout at $114. In this second round, the average refund has increased to $130, and those approved will have 90 days to cash their checks, or 30 days if using PayPal.
The refund process is being handled by Rust Consulting Inc., which has set up a dedicated phone line and support email for assistance.
To qualify, players must have made purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 that fall under the FTC’s definition of deceptive practices. While individuals must be 18 or older to submit a claim, parents or guardians can file on behalf of minors.
This third round of claims gives affected Fortnite players another chance to receive money they may be owed. To submit a claim or learn more, visit the FTC refund portal by July 9, 2025.
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More details about the refund process can be found on the FTC’s official FAQ page.
