FTC issues Fortnite players refunds after being ‘tricked’ into purchases
By Jack Aylmer (Anchor), Jodie Hawkins (Senior Producer), Michael Edwards (Video Editor)
Hundreds of thousands of Fortnite players are getting a refund after federal regulators found the game’s developer tricked players into spending money on unwanted purchases. The Federal Trade Commission said it’s starting to send $72 million in payments to Epic Games customers.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
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Fortnite FTC refunds to follow major $72 million settlement – apply for a refund
Click to see story on Daily MirrorEpic Games to give refunds after FTC says it ‘tricked’ Fortnite players into purchases
Click to see story on USA TodayFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on abc NewsFortnite and other Epic Games customers are set to get a $72 million refund. Here’s why. – englishtimes.uk
Click to see story on CBS NewsFortnite refunds $72 million in unwanted purchases after FTC fine
Click to see story on NY Daily NewsYou could get money after settlement says Epic Games unlawfully charged Fortnite players
Click to see story on NBC ChicagoFortnite FTC refunds are starting to show up
Click to see story on The VergeFTC paying out first round of Fortnite refunds
Click to see story on EngadgetFortnite refunds are coming: FTC says it’s sending PayPal payments and checks starting this week
Click to see story on Fast CompanyFortnite players could earn nearly $100 from a massive Epic Games settlement
Click to see story on PolygonWhen Will the FTC ‘Fornite’ Refund Happen? Epic Games “Wrongly” Charged Customers
Click to see story on DistractifyFortnite Users Receive Refunds After FTC Settlement with Epic Games – The Southern Maryland Chronicle
Click to see story on The Southern Maryland ChronicleFortnite paying $72m refund to hundreds of thousands of players – can you claim it?
Click to see story on nationalworld.comPlay Fortnite? You could be owed a refund
Click to see story on NewsweekFTC issuing $72 million in refunds over ‘unwanted’ Fortnite purchases
Click to see story on Digital TrendsSome Fortnite players will start to get refunds this week for in-game purchases. Here’s why
Click to see story on The OregonianThe FTC Fortnite Refund: Why Are Fans Rejoicing?
Click to see story on ForbesFTC distributes $72M to Fortnite customers tricked into making unwanted purchases
Click to see story on TechCrunchFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on WGN 9FTC issuing refunds to ‘Fortnite’ gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on Fox8Fortnite refunds on the way for misleading payment tactics by Cary’s Epic Games
Click to see story on The News & ObserverFortnite settlement: How to claim your share of the $520 million refund pool
Click to see story on WBIRFTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on WKBNEpic Games faces FTC fallout: How ‘dark patterns’ cost Fortnite $72 million in refunds
Click to see story on The Express TribuneFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on KESQFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on KYMAFortnite settlement: How to claim your share of the $520 million refund pool
Click to see story on Fort Smith/Fayetteville NewsFTC distributes $72 million in Fortnite refunds from Epic Games
Click to see story on BleepingComputerFTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on WYTVRight
Untracked Bias
FTC Sending Out First Round of Epic Games Refunds Totaling $72 Million
Click to see story on IGNEpic Games must return money to 629,344 Fortnite users: How to claim?
Click to see story on rpp.peFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on BizTocEpic Games Users Refunds Are Being Issued by the FTC Following Settlement of Fortnite Case
Click to see story on WccftechFortnite refund: which users will receive 72 million dollars?
Click to see story on Revista Merca2.0FTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on KTAL NBC 6 NewsFTC Begins Sending Refunds in Epic Games Settlement
Click to see story on PYMNTS.comFTC starts issuing refunds to Epic Games users following settlement
Click to see story on GamesIndustry.bizFTC Says It’s Time To Claim Your Share Of An Epic $245M Fortnite Settlement
Click to see story on HotHardwareEpic Games To Refund Fortnite Players
Click to see story on Digital Market NewsEpic Games is refunding millions to Fortnite players: Claim your share
Click to see story on DataconomyFTC starts refunds to Fortnite players for unwanted purchases I am a Gamer
Click to see story on Yo Soy Un GamerFortnite players “deceived” with unwanted purchases begin to receive refunds
Click to see story on Independent EspañolRefunds on the way for Fortnite gamers charged for unwanted items
Click to see story on Stuttgart Daily LeaderFortnite refunds $72 million in unwanted purchases after FTC fine – New York Times Post
Click to see story on nytimespost.comHere’s Why Fortnite Is Being Forced To Pay Back $72M To ‘Duped’ Gamers
Click to see story on zhiphopcleveland.comFortnite introduces text chat across the islands: more versatile and secure communication
Click to see story on Almomento.MxFortnite Refunds: How to Claim Money After Deal for Illegal Recovery from Epic Games
Click to see story on Telemundo Chicagowhich users will receive 72 million dollars? – hassteveclarkresignedyet
Click to see story on hassteveclarkresignedyet.caIt’s just the first round of refunds following a 2022 settlement of $245 million – the FTC’s largest-ever refund amount in a gaming case. Epic Games agreed to the settlement for its “unlawful billing practices.”
Fortnite is free to download and play but charges gamers for other items. They include experiences known as microtransactions, like costumes and dance moves.
While microtransactions are a common feature in video games, Epic Games used a design tactic called “dark patterns” that hid in-game purchases. This led to people, including children, racking up charges.
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In some cases, just one accidental press of a button led to players incurring charges.
The complaint described it happening from 2017 to 2022. Players tried to wake the game up from sleep mode or pressed a button to preview a purchasable item.
Epic Games is also accused of locking out customers who disputed unauthorized charges. That caused them to lose access to all the content they purchased.
The average payment amount in the settlement is about $114 per customer through PayPal or check.
The FTC said customers who selected their payment method when they completed their claim form have 30 days to redeem PayPal payments and 90 days to cash checks.
Fortnite customers who think they’re eligible for a refund can submit a claim online until Jan. 10.
[Jack]
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FORTNITE PLAYERS ARE GETTING A REFUND AFTER FEDERAL REGULATORS FOUND THAT THE GAME’S DEVELOPER TRICKED PLAYERS INTO SPENDING MONEY ON UNWANTED PURCHASES.
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SAYS IT’S STARTING TO SEND 72 MILLION DOLLARS IN PAYMENTS TO EPIC GAMES CUSTOMERS.
IT’S JUST THE FIRST ROUND OF REFUNDS FOLLOWING A 20-22 SETTLEMENT OF 245 MILLION DOLLARS – THE F-T-C’S LARGEST-EVER REFUND AMOUNT IN A GAMING CASE – WHICH EPIC GAMES AGREED TO FOR ITS “UNLAWFUL BILLING PRACTICES.”
FORTNITE IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND PLAY, BUT CHARGES GAMERS FOR OTHER ITEMS AND EXPERIENCES KNOWN AS “MICROTRANSACTIONS” … LIKE COSTUMES AND DANCE MOVES.
WHILE MICROTRANSACTIONS ARE A COMMON FEATURE IN VIDEO GAMES … EPIC GAMES USED A DESIGN TACTIC CALLED “DARK PATTERNS” THAT HID IN-GAME PURCHASES – WHICH HAD PEOPLE RACKING UP PURCHASES … INCLUDING CHILDREN.
IN SOME CASES – JUST ONE ACCIDENTIAL PRESS OF A BUTTON LED TO PLAYERS INCURRING CHARGES.
THE COMPLAINT DESCRIBED IT HAPPENING FROM 20-17 TO 20-22 … WHEN PLAYERS TRIED TO WAKE THE GAME UP FROM SLEEP MODE OR WHEN THEY PRESSED A BUTTON TO PREVIEW A PURCHASABLE ITEM.
EPIC GAMES IS ALSO ACCUSED OF LOCKING OUT CUSTOMERS WHO DISPUTED UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES, CAUSING THEM TO LOSE ACCESS TO ALL THE CONTENT THEY PURCHASED.
THE AVERAGE PAYMENT AMOUNT IN THE SETTLEMENT IS ABOUT 114 DOLLARS PER CUSTOMER EITHER THROUGH PAYPAL OR BY CHECK.
THE F-T-C SAYS CUSTOMERS WHO SELECTED THEIR PAYMENT METHOD WHEN THEY COMPLETED THEIR CLAIM FORM, HAVE 30 DAYS TO REDEEM PAYPAL PAYMENTS AND 90 DAYS TO CASH CHECKS.
FORTNITE CUSTOMERS WHO THINK THEY’RE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND CAN SUBMIT A CLAIM ONLINE UP UNTIL JANUARY TENTH.
FOR SAN – I’M JACK AYLMER.
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Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Fortnite FTC refunds to follow major $72 million settlement – apply for a refund
Click to see story on Daily MirrorEpic Games to give refunds after FTC says it ‘tricked’ Fortnite players into purchases
Click to see story on USA TodayFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on abc NewsFortnite and other Epic Games customers are set to get a $72 million refund. Here’s why. – englishtimes.uk
Click to see story on CBS NewsFortnite refunds $72 million in unwanted purchases after FTC fine
Click to see story on NY Daily NewsYou could get money after settlement says Epic Games unlawfully charged Fortnite players
Click to see story on NBC ChicagoFortnite FTC refunds are starting to show up
Click to see story on The VergeFTC paying out first round of Fortnite refunds
Click to see story on EngadgetFortnite refunds are coming: FTC says it’s sending PayPal payments and checks starting this week
Click to see story on Fast CompanyFortnite players could earn nearly $100 from a massive Epic Games settlement
Click to see story on PolygonWhen Will the FTC ‘Fornite’ Refund Happen? Epic Games “Wrongly” Charged Customers
Click to see story on DistractifyFortnite Users Receive Refunds After FTC Settlement with Epic Games – The Southern Maryland Chronicle
Click to see story on The Southern Maryland ChronicleFortnite paying $72m refund to hundreds of thousands of players – can you claim it?
Click to see story on nationalworld.comPlay Fortnite? You could be owed a refund
Click to see story on NewsweekFTC issuing $72 million in refunds over ‘unwanted’ Fortnite purchases
Click to see story on Digital TrendsSome Fortnite players will start to get refunds this week for in-game purchases. Here’s why
Click to see story on The OregonianThe FTC Fortnite Refund: Why Are Fans Rejoicing?
Click to see story on ForbesFTC distributes $72M to Fortnite customers tricked into making unwanted purchases
Click to see story on TechCrunchFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on WGN 9FTC issuing refunds to ‘Fortnite’ gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on Fox8Fortnite refunds on the way for misleading payment tactics by Cary’s Epic Games
Click to see story on The News & ObserverFortnite settlement: How to claim your share of the $520 million refund pool
Click to see story on WBIRFTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on WKBNEpic Games faces FTC fallout: How ‘dark patterns’ cost Fortnite $72 million in refunds
Click to see story on The Express TribuneFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on KESQFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on KYMAFortnite settlement: How to claim your share of the $520 million refund pool
Click to see story on Fort Smith/Fayetteville NewsFTC distributes $72 million in Fortnite refunds from Epic Games
Click to see story on BleepingComputerFTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on WYTVRight
Untracked Bias
FTC Sending Out First Round of Epic Games Refunds Totaling $72 Million
Click to see story on IGNEpic Games must return money to 629,344 Fortnite users: How to claim?
Click to see story on rpp.peFortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases are starting to get refunds. Here’s how to apply
Click to see story on BizTocEpic Games Users Refunds Are Being Issued by the FTC Following Settlement of Fortnite Case
Click to see story on WccftechFortnite refund: which users will receive 72 million dollars?
Click to see story on Revista Merca2.0FTC issuing refunds to Fortnite gamers after unwanted charges
Click to see story on KTAL NBC 6 NewsFTC Begins Sending Refunds in Epic Games Settlement
Click to see story on PYMNTS.comFTC starts issuing refunds to Epic Games users following settlement
Click to see story on GamesIndustry.bizFTC Says It’s Time To Claim Your Share Of An Epic $245M Fortnite Settlement
Click to see story on HotHardwareEpic Games To Refund Fortnite Players
Click to see story on Digital Market NewsEpic Games is refunding millions to Fortnite players: Claim your share
Click to see story on DataconomyFTC starts refunds to Fortnite players for unwanted purchases I am a Gamer
Click to see story on Yo Soy Un GamerFortnite players “deceived” with unwanted purchases begin to receive refunds
Click to see story on Independent EspañolRefunds on the way for Fortnite gamers charged for unwanted items
Click to see story on Stuttgart Daily LeaderFortnite refunds $72 million in unwanted purchases after FTC fine – New York Times Post
Click to see story on nytimespost.comHere’s Why Fortnite Is Being Forced To Pay Back $72M To ‘Duped’ Gamers
Click to see story on zhiphopcleveland.comFortnite introduces text chat across the islands: more versatile and secure communication
Click to see story on Almomento.MxFortnite Refunds: How to Claim Money After Deal for Illegal Recovery from Epic Games
Click to see story on Telemundo Chicagowhich users will receive 72 million dollars? – hassteveclarkresignedyet
Click to see story on hassteveclarkresignedyet.caStraight to your inbox.
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