Introduction: Discover how Fortnite gamers can secure their portion of the monumental $245 million class-action settlement from Epic Games. The original deadline of January 17, 2024, has been extended to February 29, 2024, granting eligible players additional time to stake their claim.
Background: FTC Charges Against Epic Games
In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Epic Games of employing deceptive design strategies that coerced millions of users into making undesired in-game purchases, breaching the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The FTC’s finalized order in March 2023 mandated a $245 million reimbursement to affected consumers and a record $275 million COPPA penalty to the U.S. Treasury.
Who Qualifies for a Refund?
If you or your child encountered any of the following scenarios, you are eligible to apply for a refund:
1. In-game currency charged for unwanted in-game items between January 2017 and September 2022.
2. Unauthorized credit card charges made by your child between January 2017 and November 2018.
3. Account lockout between January 2017 and September 2022 following disputes over wrongful charges.
While there are 400 million Fortnite players globally, only those in the U.S. can file claims.
Notification Process
In September and October, the FTC proactively reached out to 37 million potential claimants via email, furnishing them with individual claim ID numbers.
How to Apply for a Refund
To initiate your claim, visit the FTC v. Epic Games refund site and provide either:
1. The claim number from the FTC email.
2. Your Epic Games account ID.
For those without an email, locate your account ID on the Epic Games website. Claimants must be at least 18 years old; if under 18, a parent or guardian should submit the claim.
Deadline for Submission
Time is of the essence. Ensure your claim is submitted by February 29, 2024, to partake in this unprecedented settlement.
Payout Details
The FTC has not disclosed the individual payout amounts, as they hinge on the total number of claims. While 37 million potential claimants have been identified, the actual figure could be higher due to the option for claimants without emails to apply using their Epic account ID.
Conclusion
Don’t miss out on your chance to claim a share of the $245 million Fortnite settlement. Act swiftly, follow the outlined steps, and secure what’s rightfully yours before the extended deadline on February 29, 2024.