The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently announced a delay in the settlement date for the refund claims related to the charges on Epic Games, the maker of the popular game Fortnite. This delay is due to the high volume of claims and the need for additional time to process them. Here’s a detailed look at the backstory behind the charges on Epic Games, who is eligible for the claim, and how to get the claim.
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New FTC Settlement Date
The new deadline for the FTC Epic Games settlement refund claims has been extended from January 17, 2024, to February 29, 2024.
Backstory Behind Allegations Against Epic Games
In December 2022, the FTC fined Epic Games $520 million over allegations of violating the children’s online privacy under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The company was accused of using design tricks, known as dark patterns, to deceive millions of players into making unwanted purchases. The company also made it easy for children (minors) to make purchases without parental consent and locked the accounts of customers who disputed unauthorized charges.
The company charged parents and gamers of all ages for unwanted items and locked the accounts of customers who disputed wrongful charges with their credit card companies.”, said Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Hence, the FTC ordered Epic Games to pay $520 million in relief over allegations of privacy violations and unwanted charges. The settlement included a $275 million civil penalty payable to the U.S. Treasury and a $245 million reimbursement to consumers who were allegedly harmed by Epic Games’ deceptive design choices.
Also, as apart of the agreement, Epic Games must adopt strong privacy default settings for children and teens, ensuring that voice and text communications are turned off by default. Although, the settlement claim was announced on March 2023, but the processing is happening now.
Who is eligible for the claim?
- Consumers charged for in-game currency for items from January 2017 to September 2022 qualify for a refund.
- Parents whose children made Fortnite charges without their knowledge between January 2017 and November 2022 are eligible for reimbursement.
Individuals who had their accounts locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after filing complaints with Epic also meet the eligibility criteria.
Additionally, to apply for a refund, consumers must be at least 18 years of age, and anyone younger must have a parent or guardian complete a form on their behalf.
How to get the claim?
- Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] to file your claim if you’re eligible. If no email arrives, utilize your Epic account ID to submit a claim directly on the claims site.
- For assistance, reach out to an FTC staffer at (833) 915-0880 or email [email protected]. Act promptly, as all claims must be submitted online by January 17, 2024.
The FTC has already begun the process of notifying more than 37 million people by email. If an email with a claim number hasn’t reached you, visit the Epic Games website to find your account ID.
What is the Last Date To Apply For Refund?
The deadline to apply for a refund is February 29, 2024, and consumers have until this date to submit a claim.