Fortnite players who were wrongly charged for in-game purchases are now eligible to receive refunds, following a $245 million settlement between Epic Games and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This week, nearly $126 million is being distributed among affected users, marking one of the largest refund efforts in the gaming industry.
The FTC accused Epic Games of using deceptive online practices that led players—especially minors—into making unauthorized purchases. The initial settlement, announced in December 2022, is part of broader efforts to protect consumers from misleading digital transactions.
According to the FTC, around 970,000 valid claims have been processed. Checks and PayPal payments are being issued in this round, with a previous batch of refunds totaling $22 million sent in late 2022. Players can visit the FTC’s official website to confirm their eligibility for the refund process.
Importantly, the claim deadline has now been extended to July 9. Players who submitted their forms after the earlier deadline of February 14 do not need to take additional steps. Those receiving checks must cash them within 90 days, while PayPal refunds need to be accepted within 30 days.
To apply, players will need their Epic Account ID or claim number. Parents or guardians must submit claims on behalf of players under the age of 18. Several users have already shared screenshots of their refund confirmations on social media.
This move follows an earlier $275 million fine against Epic Games in 2023 for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The back-to-back penalties have increased scrutiny on the gaming company’s policies and user safety standards.