The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially begun distributing refund payments to nearly one million Fortnite players across the United States. This action follows a landmark settlement with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, after widespread reports of unauthorized and misleading in-game purchases.
As of June 2025, the FTC has processed 969,173 payments, amounting to over $126 million in total refunds. These payments are part of the first round of disbursements for users who submitted valid claims by February 14, 2025. Depending on their selection during the claims process, recipients are receiving payments via paper check or PayPal.
Important Payment Deadlines
Players who chose to receive a paper check must cash it within 90 days of issuance to avoid cancellation. Those who opted for PayPal must accept the payment within 30 days after receiving the notification. If a user submitted a claim by the deadline, no further action is needed to receive the money.
The refunds are intended to compensate players who were charged for in-game items without proper consent or were otherwise affected by Epic’s previous payment practices.
Why Epic Games Was Taken to Court
The FTC’s enforcement action stemmed from a series of consumer protection complaints against Epic Games. At the heart of the issue were allegations that Fortnite’s interface was intentionally misleading, a tactic often referred to as “dark patterns.”
Key claims made by the FTC included:
- Charging users for in-game items without clear consent
- Allowing children to make purchases using their parents’ payment methods without authorization
- Locking user accounts when charge disputes were filed, restricting game access
In December 2022, Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle the case. A significant portion of this settlement was allocated for direct consumer refunds, marking one of the largest consumer settlements in the FTC’s history. Additionally, Epic was required to:
- Obtain clear and affirmative consent before processing future payments
- Stop locking accounts due to chargeback disputes
Who Is Eligible for a Refund?
Not every Fortnite player will receive a refund. The FTC has outlined specific criteria to determine eligibility. Users may qualify for a payout if any of the following apply:
- You were charged V-Bucks (in-game currency) for unwanted items between January 2017 and September 2022
- Your child made unauthorized purchases using your card between January 2017 and November 2018
- Your Fortnite account was locked after you disputed a charge during the same period
Applicants must be 18 years or older, or have a parent/guardian file the claim on their behalf. To apply, users must provide either:
- The claim number issued by the FTC
- Their Epic Games Account ID
Still Time to File—July 9, 2025, Deadline Approaches
While the initial round of payments is already underway, the FTC is accepting new claims until July 9, 2025. Players who haven’t yet filed but believe they’re eligible should submit their application before this final deadline.
To apply, users should visit the official claim portal at:
www.fortniterefund.com/file-a-claim
There is no fee to file a claim. The FTC warns users to avoid scam emails or messages requesting payment, login credentials, or other sensitive data. All communication should come from verified sources, and users should double-check any links before clicking.
Claim Deadlines and Future Payment Schedule
| Key Date | Action |
|---|---|
| February 14, 2025 | Last date for eligibility for first round refunds |
| July 9, 2025 | Final deadline to file a new claim |
Claims submitted after February 14 are now in the review process. According to the FTC, a second round of payments is planned for 2026, once the full pool of post-deadline claims has been evaluated.
What to Expect from Future Payments
While the initial $126 million is already being distributed, additional funds may be disbursed in future payment rounds, depending on:
- The total number of valid claims submitted
- The individual value of the unauthorized charges
- Remaining funds from the original $245 million settlement
Claimants in the second wave should expect varying payment amounts, as the FTC must allocate funds fairly among all eligible users.
How to Get Help or Verify Status
For help regarding the refund or claim status, users may:
- Call the FTC refund hotline at 1-833-915-0880
- Email the administrator at [email protected]
They can also visit the official FTC page for ongoing updates:
www.ftc.gov/Fortnite
The FTC urges players to be vigilant against fraud. It will never ask for fees, login credentials, or sensitive information over email or text. Any suspicious outreach should be reported immediately.
The Bigger Picture: Protecting Gamers from Unfair Charges
This refund initiative represents one of the largest consumer protection efforts in gaming history. The FTC’s case against Epic Games highlighted the growing concerns over in-game monetization practices, especially when they affect children and families.
The case also sets a strong precedent: Game developers must design clear, honest purchasing systems and honor user consent at every stage of the transaction process. As digital platforms grow in complexity, consumer rights in the gaming industry are gaining more attention than ever before.