The FTC says consumers can now claim a share of the $245 million Fortnite refund. Here's how to file a claim.

Fortnite players who make unwanted purchases in the popular online video game can now do more than just crush their controllers in anger.

The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday it has begun notifying 37 million people who may be entitled to refunds from Fortnite-maker Epic Games. The company agreed to pay $520 million in 2022 to settle government allegations that it engaged in deceptive practices, including “dark patterns” to fool people into buying items such as costumes, dance moves, and “loot boxes.” Used.

Government regulators also said that Epic made it easier for children under 13 to play Fortnite without their parents’ consent, a violation of a federal law that protects children’s privacy. Wants to protect. Government regulators further alleged that when people disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card issuers, the company closed their Fortnite accounts.

Now, $245 million of the 2022 settlement will be used to provide refunds to eligible consumers. According to the FTC, you can apply for a refund if:

You were charged in-game currency for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022
Your child charged your credit card for in-game purchases without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018
Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about unwanted changes from playing Fortnite.

how to file a fortnite claim

Consumers should visit the claims site here to file their claim, while information on how to file a claim is available at www.ftc.gov/Fortnite.

To file a claim, you will need a claim number or your Epic Account ID.

Your claim number is included in the email sent by the FTC, which says it began sending millions of emails to Fortnite gamers on September 19 and plans to continue sending emails for a month.

Consumers have until January 17, 2024 to submit claims. Anyone interested can call the FTC at (888) 915-0880 or email [email protected].

How much will you get?

The per person refund amount is not yet known as the FTC has said the claim amount will depend on several factors, including how many people file a claim.

Epic said last year it had implemented additional measures to prevent unintended purchases.

“The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount,” the company said before the FTC settlement last year. “Laws written decades ago do not specify how the gaming ecosystem should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer sufficient.”

In an updated statement Tuesday, it referred people to the FTC’s page.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.