If you’re one of the Fortnite gamers who have been scammed by Epic Games’ in-game purchase process, you should file a claim now before the deadline expires. The Federal Trade Commission has begun sending payments to eligible claimants in a $245 million settlement related to the use of illegal tactics that boosted game sales.
Fortnite players charged for unwanted purchases since January 2017 through September 2022, there is still a month to participate in the settlement by filing a claim with January 10, 2025.
In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Epic Games used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. “Fortnite’s unreasonable, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration resulted in players being charged unwanted fees for pressing a single button,” the agency said in a March 2023 report.
The FTC now reports that 629,344 payouts are going to players who made those in-game purchases and filed a valid claim by October 8. The average payout is about $114 per customer.
Eligible Fortnite claims will be paid by check or PayPal.
On Monday afternoon, one CNET employee received a PayPal deposit ($95.98) from Fortnite’s claim, which was a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement.
Epic’s Fortnite is extremely popular, especially among teenagers; in one gaming event last year, 44.7 million players took part in one day. But the free-to-play game depends on players buying battle passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency.
Like other games-as-platforms that have a large audience of young people, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved to make its game safe for young people and ensure that payments are not made without the player’s permission.
Who can file a Fortnite claim?
Fortnite’s settlement applies to anyone who was charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want to buy between January 2017 and September 2022; if in the period from January 2017 to November 2018 the child charged money from the credit card without the knowledge of the parents; or if the account has been suspended after a disputed charge since January 2017. until September 2022.
Applicants must be over 18 years of age; minors may ask their parents or guardians to complete the form on their behalf.
How do I file a Fortnite claim?
The Fortnite FTC settlement claim window is still open for those who haven’t yet filed. The window closes January 10, 2025the deadline for filing a claim under this calculation.
When you visit the Epic Games/Fortnite FTC page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received an email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then enter your claim number and complete the CAPTCHA test to submit your claim.
If you haven’t received a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can submit a Fortnite claim using your Epic Account ID. If you are unsure of your Epic Account ID, please follow the steps below on the Epic Games Support page.
Epic Games introduced LEGO Fortnite back in December 2023.
When and how will I receive money from the FTC?
According to the FTC’s Dec. 9 announcement, eligible claims filed by Oct. 8, 2024, have already begun receiving payouts. The FTC has not yet said when payments will be made for claims filed after Oct. 8, only that it is “reviewing claims filed after that date and will provide more information soon.”
During the claim process on the FTC website, you will be able to indicate whether you want to be paid by check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For payment questions, you can call the claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or by e-mail admin@fortniterefund.com.
Will filing a lawsuit against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account?
According to the FTC, filing a claim will not affect a player’s Fortnite account status. For more information, see the FTC’s FAQ on Fortnite refunds.
