### Fortnite Players to Receive $126 Million in Refunds Following FTC Settlement In a significant development for Fortnite players, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the distribution of over $126 million in refunds to users who were charged for unwanted in-game purchases. This refund initiative is part of a broader $520 million settlement that Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, agreed to in 2022 due to allegations of deceptive billing practices. The FTC's decision to reopen the claims process allows eligible players to apply for refunds until July 9, 2025, ensuring that those affected can reclaim their funds for unauthorized charges incurred while playing the game [https://fortune.com/2025/06/26/fortnite-refund-ftc-payments-gaming][https://www.today.com/money/fortnite-refund-ftc-epic-games-claims-reopened-july-9-rcna215184]. ### Overview of the Refund Process and Eligibility 1. **Settlement Background**: - Epic Games reached a settlement with the FTC in 2023, agreeing to pay $245 million for deceptive practices that misled players, particularly children, into making unwanted purchases [https://theubj.com/126-million-in-refunds-coming-to-fortnite-players-after-ftc-crackdown]. 2. **Refund Distribution**: - The FTC has already issued over $72 million in refunds to more than 629,000 players in December 2024, and this new round adds an additional $126 million [https://www.themirror.com/tech/gaming/fortnite-refunds-issued-after-ftc-1229903]. 3. **Claims Reopening**: - The claims process has been reopened, allowing players who engaged with Fortnite between January 2017 and September 2022 to submit claims for refunds until July 9, 2025 [https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-to-get-your-cut-of-the-245-million-fortnite-settlement-july-9-deadline]. ### Key Data Points on Refunds and Claims - **Total Refund Amount**: $126 million being distributed in this round. - **Total Players Affected**: Approximately 969,000 players are eligible for refunds [https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/nation-world/more-refunds-fortnite-players-tricked-how-you-can-apply/507-dc59a861-0d4a-4119-827b-92177494e33e]. - **Initial Refunds Issued**: Over $72 million to 629,000 players in the first wave of reimbursements [https://www.themirror.com/tech/gaming/fortnite-refunds-issued-after-ftc-1229903]. ### Conclusion and Next Steps for Players In summary, **Fortnite players are set to receive a substantial refund of $126 million due to deceptive billing practices by Epic Games**. The FTC's reopening of the claims process provides a crucial opportunity for affected players to reclaim their funds. 1. **Claim Submission**: Players must submit their claims by July 9, 2025, to be eligible for the refund. 2. **Awareness of Deceptive Practices**: This situation highlights the importance of consumer awareness regarding in-game purchases and the potential for deceptive practices in gaming. 3. **Future Implications**: The outcome of this settlement may influence how gaming companies approach in-game purchases and consumer protection in the future [https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/ftc-sends-126m-fortnite-gamers-charged-unwanted-purchases-123226958]. For more information on how to file a claim, players can refer to the FTC's official guidelines and resources [https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/fortnite-ftc-settlement-deadline-how-to-submit-claim/3872543].