Fortnite: More than 37 million people may be eligible for compensation from Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, as part of a legal settlement reached in December 2022.
The settlement resolves allegations that Epic Games used deceptive design tactics to get players to make unwanted purchases, and violated children’s privacy laws.
Under the terms of the settlement, Epic Games will pay $520 million, of which $245 million will go to providing refunds to eligible consumers. The FTC has created a website where people can check if they are eligible for a refund and submit a claim.
To be eligible for a refund, you must have been charged for unwanted in-game purchases in Fortnite between January 2017 and September 2022.
You may also be eligible for a refund if your child made unauthorized charges to your credit card in Fortnite between January 2017 and November 2018, or if your account was locked after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges.
To submit a claim, you will need to provide your Epic Games account information, as well as information about the unwanted purchases you made. You can submit a claim online or by mail. The deadline to submit a claim is December 31, 2023.
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The FTC says that the average refund amount is expected to be around $7.50. However, the actual amount you receive will depend on the number of claims that are submitted and the total amount of money that is available in the settlement fund.
The Fortnite settlement is one of the largest settlements ever reached by the FTC over deceptive practices in video games. It is a reminder that consumers have rights, and that companies can be held accountable for using deceptive tactics to get people to spend money.
Here are some tips for avoiding unwanted purchases in video games:
- Disable in-app purchases on your devices, if possible.
- Set up parental controls to restrict your child’s spending in games.
- Be careful about clicking on pop-up ads or links in games.
- Be wary of in-game promotions and discounts.
- Review your credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
If you believe that you have been a victim of deceptive practices in a video game, you can report it to the FTC.