The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved $126 million in refunds for 969,173 Fortnite players as part of an ongoing settlement with Epic Games over deceptive purchasing practices. The agency has also reopened its claims portal for eligible players to submit refund requests for a third round of payments.
## Background of the Settlement
This refund represents the second phase of a major settlement reached between the FTC and Epic Games in December 2022. The gaming company agreed to pay $520 million to resolve allegations of violating children’s privacy laws and using manipulative “dark patterns” to trick players into making unintentional purchases.
## What Were the Dark Patterns?
Epic Games employed several deceptive practices that led to unwanted charges:
– **Confusing purchase prompts** that misled users
– **Misleading promotional offers** that weren’t clearly explained
– **Unauthorized purchases by minors** without parental consent
– **Accidental charges** when players woke the game from sleep mode, during loading screens, or while previewing items
These charges occurred without additional confirmation steps. Players who tried to dispute these transactions faced a complex reversal process, and some were even blocked from accessing their accounts before refunds were processed.
## Refund Distribution Details
The first round of refunds was distributed in December 2024, providing $72 million to 629,344 eligible players with an average payout of $114. The current second round increases the average refund to $130 per player.
Recipients have 90 days to cash their checks or 30 days if using PayPal. Rust Consulting Inc. manages the refund process and provides dedicated phone and email support.
## How to Claim Your Refund
Players who made Fortnite purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 that involved these dark patterns can submit claims through the FTC portal until July 9, 2025.
**Key requirements:**
– Claimants must be at least 18 years old
– Parents or guardians can file claims on behalf of minors
– Claims must involve purchases affected by the identified dark patterns
This settlement represents one of the largest consumer refund programs in gaming history, highlighting the FTC’s commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive digital practices.