Epic Games Ordered To Pay $245 Million In Refunds To Fortnite Players Tricked Into ‘Unwanted Charges’

Federal Trade Commission ordered Epic Games to repay $245,000,000 to Fortnite players. 

This follows a ruling by the FTC that Epic Games – specifically Fortnite – utilized a confusing button configuration in-game to essentially trick players into making unwanted purchases, as reported by GamesRadar.Epic Games has to issue refunds totaling $245 millions to Fortnite players. 

“Fortnite’s confusing, counterintuitive and inconsistent button design led to unwanted charges being incurred by players based upon the press of a single buttom,” a FTC press release states. GamesRadar. The company made it simple for kids to purchase Fortnite items while they were playing Fortnite, without the need of parental permission.

GamesRadar Epic Games has reported that accounts were locked by players who, following an unintentional purchase, dispute the charge. 

The press release states that Epic is prohibited from charging customers for dark patterns, or any other charges without their consent. Epic cannot block consumers’ access to their accounts in order to contest unauthorized charges. 

Epic Games will make payment to the FTC for $245 million and this agency will then reimburse the affected customers. To claim a refund, you can go to this page if your account was affected. The following will receive refunds for people who were affected: 

  • Parents of children who purchased an Epic Games Store credit card without authorization between November 2018 and January 2017 were notified.
  • Players in Fortnite who received in-game currency V-Bucks for unwanted in-game goods (such as cosmetics and battle passes) in the period January 2017 – September 2022 were charged.
  • Fortnite players with accounts that were frozen between January 2017 – September 2022 by disputing unauthorized charges with their credit cards companies.

[Source: GamesRadar]

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