Fortnite players who purchased in-game items may be eligible for refunds as part of a $245 million settlement with Epic Games, with a deadline to file claims by September 17, 2025.
The settlement, approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022, addresses allegations that Epic Games used deceptive practices, such as “dark patterns,” to mislead players into unintended purchases.
The FTC accused Epic Games, the developer of the popular battle royale game, of employing user interface designs that tricked players into spending money on in-game cosmetics and items, particularly affecting younger players.
Additionally, Epic was criticized for allowing children to make unauthorized purchases and blocking access to content until players spent more.
As a result, Epic agreed to pay $245 million to compensate affected players and an additional $275 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, marking the largest penalty in FTC history.
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Eligible players include those who were charged for unwanted in-game items, faced unauthorized charges by children on their accounts, or were locked out of content between January 2017 and September 2022.
Refunds also extend to players charged for items between January 2017 and November 2018 if Epic wrongly blocked their accounts after chargeback disputes.
To file a claim, players must visit the official FTC refund website at www.ftc.gov/Fortnite and submit their Epic Games account ID or a claim number provided in an FTC email.
Claims require details about the unwanted purchases, and supporting documentation, such as receipts or bank statements, may increase approval chances.
The FTC advises players to check their email, including spam folders, for a claim number sent to the address linked to their Epic account. Those without a claim number can still apply using their Epic Games ID.
The deadline to submit claims is September 17, 2025, though the FTC notes that high claim volumes may lead to partial payouts if the settlement fund is insufficient.
Epic Games has stated that the $245 million fund is intended to provide “full or partial” refunds to eligible consumers, with the FTC overseeing distribution.
This settlement follows Epic Games’ earlier $26.5 million refund program in 2021, prompted by similar concerns from a class-action lawsuit. Players who received refunds through that program may still be eligible for additional compensation under the current settlement. For further assistance, players can contact the settlement administrator at (833) 915-0880 or admin@fortniterefund.com, or visit the FTC’s dedicated refund page for updates.
