Fortnite refunds are coming: FTC says it’s sending PayPal payments and checks starting this week

If you’re a player of Fortnite, you may be about to get a significant payment from owner Epic Games, courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That’s because the commission is now sending out the first batch of payments from a $245 million fine that Epic Games agreed to pay in relation to allegations that it tricked users—including children—into making unwanted purchases. Here’s what you need to know:

What are the refunds for?

The refunds are from an FTC fine levied against Epic Games, which related to the company’s use of what are known as “dark patterns.” As Fast Company reported last year, the FTC had alleged that Epic Games used dark patterns (deceptive design elements meant to make a user believe they must carry out a certain action or dupe them into taking action they may not intend to) to trick Fortnite players into making unwanted purchases in the game.

“Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button,” the FTC alleged. “The company also made it easy for children to make purchases while playing Fortnite without requiring any parental consent.”

For its part, Epic Games accepted the fine and, in December 2022, issued the following statement:

“No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here. The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount. Statutes written decades ago don’t specify how gaming ecosystems should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough. We accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players.”

Who is eligible for a refund?

In order to be eligible for a refund, any of these statements must be true, according to the FTC:

• 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

People receiving payments now have already successfully submitted a refund claim.

How much are the refunds for?

The FTC says the average refund an eligible person will receive will be about $114.

How will I receive my Fortnite refund payment?

That depends on the method you selected when filing your claim. Your options were to receive the refund via a PayPal payment or via a paper check.

The FTC says people should redeem their PayPal payments within 30 days and should cash their checks within 90 days.

Can I still file a claim?

Yes. Provided you meet the requirements, you can still file a claim. People have until January 10, 2025, to file a claim. You can find the details on how to file a claim here.

How many people are receiving payments now?

Yesterday, the FTC said it began sending 629,344 total payments to claimants.

When will the next round of payments be made?

The FTC has not specified when the next round of payments will be sent. In its release on the matter, the FTC said it “will distribute additional money at a later date.”