The Fortnite class action settlement of 2024 concerns allegations against Epic Games, the game’s developer, over unfair in-game purchase practices and privacy violations. In December 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Epic of using deceptive tactics that led players, including children, to make unintended purchases.
Additionally, they were charged with violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from minors without parental consent.
To settle these charges, Epic agreed to pay a hefty sum of $520 million. This includes $245 million to reimburse players who were unfairly charged for in-game items, and a record-breaking $275 million penalty to the U.S. Treasury for the COPPA violation. As part of the agreement, Epic also has to improve their default privacy settings for young players.
While the deadline to file a claim for the $245 million refund was initially set for January 17th, 2024, it has been extended to February 29th, 2024. If you believe you were affected by these practices, you can visit the FTC website (https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite) to check your eligibility and submit a claim. Remember, this is your last chance to get a potential refund, so be sure to act before the deadline.
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Fortnite Class Action Settlement Details
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Reason for Settlement | Allegations of deceptive in-game purchases and COPPA violations by Epic Games |
Settlement Amount | $520 million |
Refund Pool | $245 million |
Penalty | $275 million (COPPA violation) |
Eligibility | In-game purchases between Jan 2017 – Sept 2022, potentially unwanted/unauthorized |
Claim Deadline | February 29, 2024 |
Claim Process | Online at https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite |
Lawyer Required | No |
Refund Amount | Uncertain, depends on claim volume and value |
Settlement Type | FTC settlement with claims process, not traditional class-action lawsuit |
Eligibility Criteria for Fortnite Refund
The Fortnite Class Action Settlement offers refunds to players who were unfairly charged for in-game items, but eligibility has specific criteria set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Here’s a breakdown:
1. Unwanted In-Game Purchases (Jan 2017 – Sep 2022):
- Did you accidentally buy something in Fortnite due to confusing interfaces or unclear buttons?
- Were you misled by the game design into making unintended purchases?
- If so, you might be eligible for a refund for these unwanted items.
2. Unauthorized Credit Card Payments by Minors (Jan 2017 – Nov 2018):
- Did your child use your credit card to make purchases in Fortnite without your permission?
- If this happened before November 2018, you could be eligible for a refund thanks to the settlement addressing COPPA violations.
3. Account Locks Due to Disputed Payments (Jan 2017 – Sep 2022):
- Did Epic Games lock your account because you disputed a wrongful or unauthorized charge on your credit card?
- If so, you might be eligible for a refund as this addresses cases where players contested unfair charges.
Additional things to know:
- Only players in the United States are eligible. This is due to the FTC’s jurisdiction and the nature of the settlement.
- The FTC proactively contacted potential claimants. They sent emails to about 37 million people who might be eligible, providing personal claim ID numbers. However, not receiving an email doesn’t necessarily disqualify you.
- The deadline to file a claim is February 29th, 2024. Don’t miss out if you think you qualify!
Fortnite Refund Amount
Unfortunately, determining the exact amount you might receive in a Fortnite Class Action Settlement or refund is impossible at this point. The total settlement fund of $245 million will be distributed among all eligible claimants, so the final individual refund amount will depend on two key factors:
1. Number of Claims: The more people submit claims, the smaller each individual refund will likely be. This means the sooner you file your claim, the better your chances of receiving a larger portion of the available funds.
2. Value of Each Claim: The FTC will assess the validity and value of each submitted claim. Factors like the number and cost of unwanted purchases, and the strength of the evidence you provide, will influence your individual refund amount.
Remember, this is not a guaranteed payout. While everyone meeting the eligibility criteria will receive something, the actual amount will vary depending on the factors mentioned above.
Instead of focusing on the exact amount, the key takeaway is to act quickly if you believe you qualify for a refund. The deadline to file a claim is February 29th, 2024, so don’t miss out on your chance to recoup some of your potential losses.
Fortnite Refund Last Date
The last date to file a claim for a Fortnite Class Action Settlement or refund in the class action settlement is February 29, 2024. This deadline is approaching soon, so if you believe you might be eligible, it’s crucial to act quickly.
Here’s a reminder of the key points:
- Eligibility: You could be eligible if you were charged for unwanted in-game items between January 2017 and September 2022, had unauthorized credit card payments made by a minor before November 2018, or faced account locks due to disputed payments between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Claim Process: You can file a claim online through the FTC website: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite.
- Refund Amount: The exact amount you receive will depend on the number of claims submitted and the total value of eligible claims.
- Deadline: Don’t miss out! The deadline to file a claim is February 29, 2024.
Fortnite Refund Payment Process
Unfortunately, the specific details of the payment process for Fortnite refunds haven’t been officially announced yet. However, based on information from similar settlements and the FTC website, here’s what we know so far:
Method: The FTC website states that you will be able to choose between receiving your refund by check or PayPal payment. This suggests you will likely be notified through the claim website and given the option to select your preferred method during or after your claim is approved.
Timing: There’s no official information on the exact timeframe for receiving your refund after your claim is approved. However, similar settlements typically take several months to process and distribute funds. This could be influenced by the number of claims received and the complexity of verifying each claim.
Transparency: The FTC emphasizes transparency throughout the process. They state that you will be notified “via email and on the claim website” regarding the status of your claim and any updates. This includes being informed if your claim is approved or denied.
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How to claim $245 refund
the total settlement amount for the Fortnite Class Action Settlement is $245 million, you won’t directly receive that full amount. Instead, individual refunds will be distributed among all eligible claimants after the claim deadline on February 29th, 2024.
Here’s what you need to do to claim your potential refund:
1. Check Eligibility:
- Did you make in-game purchases in Fortnite between January 2017 and September 2022 that you consider unwanted or unauthorized?
- Did a minor (under 18) use your credit card for unauthorized purchases before November 2018?
- Was your account locked due to disputed payments with your credit card company between January 2017 and September 2022?
- Are you a resident of the United States?
2. File a Claim:
- You must file a claim online before February 29th, 2024 through the official FTC website: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite.
- You don’t need a lawyer to file a claim.
3. Gather Evidence:
- If possible, gather evidence to support your claim, such as purchase receipts, credit card statements, or communication with Epic Games regarding disputed charges.
4. Wait for Notification:
- The FTC will process the claims and notify you via email and the claim website about the status of your claim. This could take several months.
5. Receive Payment:
- If your claim is approved, you will be able to choose to receive your refund by check or PayPal. The timeframe for receiving payment is yet to be announced.
FAQs on Fortnite Class Action Settlement
- Who is eligible for a Fortnite refund?
You might be eligible if you were charged for unwanted in-game items between Jan 2017 – Sep 2022, had unauthorized credit card payments by a minor before Nov 2018, or faced account locks due to disputed payments between Jan 2017 – Sep 2022 (US residents only).
- How much money will I get?
The exact amount depends on the total number of claims and their value. It’s not guaranteed and could be a portion of the $245 million settlement fund.
- How do I file a claim?
Submit your claim online before Feb 29, 2024, at https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite. No lawyer needed.
- What evidence do I need?
Gather any supporting documents like purchase receipts, credit card statements, or communication with Epic Games regarding disputed charges (if possible).
- When will I get my refund?
The processing and approval take time. The FTC will notify you via email and the claim website about the status and potential payout timeframe.
- Can I choose how I receive my refund?
Yes, you can choose between check or PayPal payment when notified of approval (method confirmation might come later).
- What if I didn’t receive an email from the FTC?
Not receiving an email doesn’t disqualify you. Check your eligibility and file a claim regardless.
- Is there a deadline to file?
Yes, the deadline to file a claim is February 29, 2024. Don’t miss out!
- Where can I find more information?
Visit the official FTC website: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite: https://www.ftc.gov/fortnite.
- Who can I contact with questions?
The FTC website offers a contact form for general inquiries, but they advise against contacting them directly about individual claims. Refer to the website or claim website for updates.
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