Fortnite players and potentially their parents can claim cash refunds due to a $245 million settlement
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between Epic Games, Fortnite's parent company, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
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The FTC accused Epic Games of using "dark patterns and other deceptive practices" to trick players into making unwanted in-game purchases, leading to the settlement in March.
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This complaint originated in December 2022, highlighting design tricks employed by Epic Games to encourage unintended purchases by players of all ages.
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The settlement also addressed concerns that the company made it easy for children to make unauthorized charges without parental consent
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and locked accounts when consumers disputed such charges with credit card companies.
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Eligibility for a refund is based on certain criteria outlined by the FTC, including:
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Being charged for in-game items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022. Having your child make unauthorized charges to your credit card between January 2017 and November 2018. Your account being locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing wrongful charges with your credit card company.
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Applicants must be at least 18 years old to complete a claim form. Parents or guardians must complete claim forms on behalf of those under 18.
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To apply for a refund, visit www.forniterefund.com/file-a-claim and provide your claim number or Epic Account ID.
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The application deadline for refunds is January 17, 2024.
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The refund amount each individual receives will depend on factors such as the number of people filing claims.
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The FTC has not provided a specific payment date yet, and they will update their website with more information as it becomes available.
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