You Can Still Claim Your Share of the $126 Million Fortnite Compensation
Last December, the FTC issued the first round of payments in a 2022 settlement that required Fortnite creator Epic Games to pay back $245 million to players. Now, the commission is reopening the lawsuits, offering $126 million. Even if you had to split it, the average amount for each affected user in the last round of payments was $114 , so it’s not a pittance. Here’s how to get your piece of the pie.
What did Epic Games do?
First, a little history. At its core, it all comes down to a confusing user interface. In 2022, after a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission, Epic Games agreed to pay a total of $520 million in damages for allegedly violating COPPA (the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act). The FTC accused the company of using “dark patterns” to trick users, especially children, into buying unwanted in-game items. These included button placement that could cause a user to accidentally buy an item they were just about to view, or accidentally click a hidden buy button while the game was loading. As a result, Epic agreed to adjust the game’s design to address these issues, as well as pay $275 million in fines and $245 million in refunds to players. It’s that last number that’s the one we’re worried about today.
Who is eligible for payment?
Even if you don’t play Fortnite yourself, you may be eligible for a payout. According to the FTC, any of the following groups of people can sue for their share of the settlement:
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If you were charged Fortnite in-game currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022.
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If your child made payments in Fortnite without your knowledge between January 2017 and September 2022.
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If your Fortnite account was suspended between January 2017 and September 2022 following a complaint about improper payments.
Do I need to file a lawsuit?
If you haven’t filed a claim yet, now’s your chance. However, if you already filed a claim before the previous February 14 deadline, no action is required on your part. Along with opening up the space for new claims, the FTC also announced that its second round of payments is underway, with just under 970,000 checks or digital payments currently being sent to those who have already filed a valid claim.
How to file a claim?
To apply for the next round of payments, simply visit this page on the FTC’s website and click the “ Apply for a refund” button before the new July 9 deadline. You must be over 18, provide your application number or Epic account ID, and then simply indicate whether you want to be paid by check or PayPal. If you already applied after the previous February 14 deadline, you don’t need to do anything right now — that application will automatically be applied to the next round of payments. If you’re under 18, the FTC says a parent or guardian can apply on your behalf.
When can I expect payment?
The FTC says the next round of payments should occur in 2026, after the commission reviews and verifies all claims. Checks will need to be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments will need to be accepted within 30 days.
Any questions can be sent to [email protected] or called directly at 1-833-915-0880.