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By The Oracle Daily | June 27, 2025
If you’ve played Fortnite—or your kids have—you might be getting some money back.
In one of the biggest refund efforts in gaming history, Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, is sending out payments to players who made accidental or unauthorized purchases. Whether you’re a parent of a young gamer or someone who racked up charges without meaning to, this could be the moment to check your inbox.
🎯 What’s This All About?
This refund wave is part of a broader settlement between Epic Games and U.S. regulators. It all started when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Epic of using what they called “dark patterns” to trick users—especially kids—into making in-game purchases they didn’t mean to make.
As a result, Epic agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle the claims. This latest batch of refunds? It’s nearly $126 million, going out to nearly a million Fortnite players across the country.
And that’s just one round. Another $72 million went out last year. All told, Fortnite players will be receiving over $198 million in refunds when this is done.
🧾 Who’s Eligible?
If you made purchases in Fortnite that felt... unintentional, you might be owed something. Here’s a quick breakdown of who qualifies:
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Anyone charged for unwanted in-game purchases made between January 2017 and September 2022.
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Parents whose kids made purchases without their consent between January 2017 and November 2018.
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Players who tried to dispute charges and then got locked out of their accounts.
If any of that sounds familiar, it’s worth checking to see if you can get a refund.
🗓 What’s the Deadline?
Refund requests are open now and must be submitted by July 9, 2025. After that, the window closes.
Payments will be sent by either paper check or PayPal, depending on the option you choose. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal funds must be claimed within 30.
💬 Why the FTC Got Involved
At the heart of this issue was how Fortnite made it easy—too easy—for people to spend money.
For years, Epic let players buy items with a single click, no confirmation screen or warning. Parents often found out only later that their kids had spent real money on virtual costumes, dance moves, and V-bucks. On top of that, users who challenged those charges sometimes found themselves locked out of their accounts.
The FTC stepped in, calling these tactics manipulative. Epic didn’t admit wrongdoing, but agreed to make changes and pay up—nearly $245 million, one of the biggest settlements in gaming history.
🎮 What Has Epic Changed?
To be fair, Epic hasn’t ignored the backlash.
Since the settlement, they’ve rolled out several updates aimed at giving players more control over their spending:
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Hold-to-purchase mechanics, so no more accidental button taps.
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A self-service refund option, making it easier to undo accidental purchases.
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Stronger parental controls, including spending limits and account PINs.
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Easier-to-find settings to manage purchases and payment options.
These changes may not fix past mistakes, but they do show Epic is working to earn back players’ trust.
🧠How to Claim Your Refund
It’s not complicated, but you’ll want to follow a few steps:
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You’ll need either your Epic Games account ID or a claim number you received in an email (if applicable).
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Head to the official Fortnite refund page from the FTC. (You can find it easily by searching “FTC Fortnite refund.”)
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Fill out the form with your information.
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Choose whether you want a paper check or PayPal payment.
If you’re a parent and your child made purchases using your credit card or account, you can file on their behalf.
💵 How Much Can You Get?
It depends. There’s no fixed amount per player, but the average refund so far is around $114.
Some players who made several purchases—or were locked out of their accounts—may receive even more. For example, a family whose child unknowingly spent hundreds on skins and V-bucks might see a significant portion of that money returned.
👀 Is Everyone Happy?
Not entirely. While many players have praised the refund process and Epic’s new controls, others feel the system still has flaws. A few users have reported delays or confusion over where to find their claim IDs. Others are frustrated by the long timeline between submitting a claim and receiving payment.
Still, most agree this is a step in the right direction. Getting money back for something you didn’t want in the first place? That’s rare in the gaming world.
🧩 The Bigger Picture
This Fortnite refund isn’t just about one game or one company—it could mark a turning point for the entire industry.
For years, in-app purchases and “microtransactions” have generated billions in revenue. But as more parents, players, and regulators pay attention, the pressure is mounting on game developers to build systems that are not just profitable—but fair and responsible.
Epic’s settlement may set a new standard. Companies will have to think twice about how they design purchase flows, and how they protect their youngest users.
✅ Final Thoughts
Fortnite may have sparked controversy, but it’s also sparked change. Thanks to this massive refund program, thousands of families are getting back money they thought was lost—and millions of players are now better protected from shady in-game tactics.
If you or your child ever made a surprise purchase in Fortnite, take a moment to see if you're eligible. The deadline is approaching fast, and a few minutes of your time could be worth much more than just a virtual dance