Fortnite players who’ve experienced frustration due to undesired in-game purchases now have reason to feel encouraged. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made an announcement on Tuesday, stating that it has initiated the process of informing approximately 37 million individuals who may qualify for a refund from Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. This development is a result of Epic Games’ 2022 agreement to pay a substantial sum of $520 million to settle government allegations of utilizing deceptive tactics, including the utilization of shadowed patterns to manipulate users into buying items. In this article, we will explore the specifics of the Fortnite Refund FTC and its implications.
Additionally, government authorities have alleged that Epic Games facilitated the accrual of expenses by players under the age of 13 without parental consent, thereby violating a federal law designed to protect children’s privacy. Furthermore, it is claimed that Epic Games responded by restricting access to Fortnite accounts when individuals disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.
A substantial portion of the 2022 settlement, totaling $245 million, is now designated to provide reimbursements to eligible consumers. According to the FTC, you qualify for a refund if:
- You were charged for undesired in-game purchases with in-game currency between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Between January 2017 and November 2018, your child made in-game purchases using your credit card without your knowledge.
- If you reported unauthorized charges to your credit card company, your Fortnite account was restricted between January 2017 and September 2022.
How to file a Fortnite Refund FTC Claim?
To initiate the claim process, consumers should visit the claims website. Detailed instructions on how to file a claim can be found at www.ftc.gov/Fortnite.
To file a claim, you will require either a claim number or your Epic Account ID. The claim number can be found in an email sent by the FTC. They began sending out these emails to Fortnite players on September 19 and will continue to do so for the next month.
The deadline for consumers to submit their claims is January 17, 2024. If you have any questions, you can reach out to the FTC at (888) 915-0880 or via email at [email protected].
How much will you Get with Fortnite Refund FTC?
The exact refund amount per person is currently unknown, as the FTC has stated that it will depend on various factors, including the number of claims submitted.
Epic Games mentioned last year that it had introduced additional measures to prevent unintentional purchases.
In their statement before the FTC settlement, the company noted, “The video game industry is a place of rapid innovation, with high player expectations and a focus on new ideas. Statutes created many years ago do not explicitly outline how gaming ecosystems should function. While the laws have not changed, their interpretation has evolved, and longstanding industry practices are no longer sufficient.” (Source: Bussiness News)
