Did you or your child play Fortnite between 2017 and 2022? Have you ever bought V-Bucks or in-game items, or perhaps had a child make unauthorized purchases? If so, you could be eligible for a slice of a massive $126 million settlement involving Epic Games and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – and critically, you still have a chance to apply!
Epic Games, the creator of the globally popular game Fortnite, reached this significant settlement with the FTC over allegations of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and using deceptive design practices (known as ‘dark patterns’) to trick players into making unintended purchases. The settlement aims to compensate players and parents affected by these practices.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
You might be eligible if you fall into one of these categories:
- Parents whose child made an unauthorized credit card purchase in Fortnite between January 2017 and November 2018.
- Players who were charged V-Bucks for unwanted in-game items (like cosmetic outfits or emotes) between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Players whose account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 for disputing unauthorized charges with their credit card company.
How to Claim Your Share: Don’t Miss Out!
The good news is that the claims process is designed to be straightforward. While many have already received their notices or payouts, the official claims website remains open for those who haven’t yet applied or might have missed the initial window. This is your cue to act!
To submit a claim, you’ll generally need to visit the official settlement website (often managed by a claims administrator like Rust Consulting or similar, search for ‘Fortnite FTC Settlement’ to find the legitimate site). Be prepared to provide:
- Your contact information.
- Details about your or your child’s Fortnite account (username, associated email).
- Information regarding the specific purchases or incidents that make you eligible.
It’s crucial to act fast. While the exact final deadline for late claims can vary or be extended, these settlements eventually close. Missing the deadline means forfeiting your opportunity to receive compensation, which could be in the form of cash or V-Bucks.
This is a rare chance to get back funds or V-Bucks that were unjustly charged. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Head to the official Fortnite settlement claims website today, review the eligibility criteria, and submit your claim. You played the game, now get your fair share!