December 10, 2024 at 12:11PM
The FTC is distributing over $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players due to Epic Games’ use of misleading practices leading to unwanted purchases. The first refunds average $114 for 629,344 players. Claims can be submitted until January 10, 2025, but caution against scams is advised.
### Meeting Takeaways
1. **FTC Refunds Announcement**:
– The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $72 million in refunds related to Fortnite due to allegations against Epic Games for using “dark patterns” to facilitate unwanted purchases.
2. **Settlement Details**:
– This initiative is part of a larger $245 million settlement reached with Epic Games in December 2022.
3. **Allegations Against Epic Games**:
– The FTC accused Epic Games of creating confusing button configurations that led to unintended charges.
– Specific scenarios included charges occurring when players attempted to wake the game from sleep mode or by pressing adjacent buttons during item previews.
– Additional accusations pertained to unauthorized charges made by children and restricted access to purchased content when disputes were raised.
4. **Refund Distribution**:
– The FTC has begun the first round of refunds, benefiting 629,344 Fortnite players, who will receive an average refund of $114.
– Payment methods include:
– PayPal: 30 days to redeem the refund.
– Emailed checks: 90 days to cash.
5. **Eligibility for Refunds**:
– Eligible individuals include:
– Adults who incurred charges for unwanted in-game items from January 2017 to September 2022.
– Parents of children who made unauthorized charges from January 2017 to November 2018.
– Users who had their accounts locked from January 2017 to September 2022 after disputing charges.
– Claims can be submitted via the FTC’s form page for future refund rounds, with valid claims accepted until January 10, 2025.
6. **Safety Precautions**:
– The FTC warns about potential scams related to the refund process, advising against sharing personal information or payment for ‘clearance fees.’
7. **Contact Information**:
– For questions regarding the payment and refund process, contact the FTC at 1-833-915-0880 or via email at [email protected].
– A FAQ page has been provided for additional support.
This summary encapsulates the critical points regarding the FTC’s actions and the refund process for affected Fortnite players.