ILLINOIS — Fortnite players across the U.S., including families in Illinois, are starting to receive their share of a $126 million refund distribution from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after a historic settlement with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite.
The refunds are part of a broader $520 million settlement first reached in 2022, after Epic was accused of deceptive payment tactics and privacy violations impacting children and teens.
The latest wave of payments follows a $72 million refund round in December 2024, and brings total restitution to nearly $200 million so far.
Why the Refunds Are Being Issued
The FTC says Epic Games used dark patterns—interface designs that trick players into making unwanted purchases. Young players, many unsupervised minors, were reportedly charged for in-game items with a single button press, often without understanding the transaction.
Some users also had their Fortnite accounts locked after disputing charges, making it impossible to access the content they’d paid for.
“Many families didn’t even realize the extent of these charges until after the fact,” according to an NBC Chicago report.
Who’s Getting Refunds — And How
Nearly 970,000 players are receiving payments via check or PayPal. Recipients are advised by the FTC to:
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Cash checks within 90 days
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Accept PayPal transfers within 30 days
To be eligible, players must have made unauthorized purchases between January 2017 and September 2022, or had accounts unfairly locked after contesting charges.
The refund process also ties into a separate $275 million fine against Epic Games over violations of children’s data privacy laws, specifically the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Extended Deadline: Apply by July 9
The FTC has extended the deadline to July 9, 2025, for players who missed the initial refund claim window.
To apply, users can visit the FTC’s dedicated claim page using either:
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Their Epic Account ID
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A unique claim number issued by the agency
Parents or guardians applying on behalf of minors will need to submit additional documentation.
CBS News reports that the refunds are expected to continue arriving in waves over the next several weeks.
Did your family experience unexpected Fortnite charges? Share your story with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice can help others navigate online game safety and spending protections.
