Fortnite FTC V-Bucks refund: How to get, am I eligible?

Fortnite players could be getting a V-Bucks refund very soon, after the FTC ordered Epic Games to pay $245 million in refunds. Here’s how to check it you’re eligible.

Back in December 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ordered Epic Games to pay $520 million in relief over allegations that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), using “design tricks” or dark patterns that made millions of players make unwanted purchases in Fortnite.

The $520 million in relief splits roughly into two orders: : $275 million for violating the COPPA Rule and, under a separate order, the company is ordered to pay $245 million to refund players over the dark patterns. The orders are the largest penalty ever obtained for violating an FTC rule, and the FTC’s largest refund amount in a gaming case.

The FTC confirmed that the order was finalized just last week, saying, “After receiving five comments, the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the complaint and order against Epic and the responses to the commenters.”

The ruling marks good news for those affected by unwanted purchases made via Fortnite, with refunds planned for those eligible. Here’s how to check if you meet the requirements for a refund.

How to get the FTC V-Bucks refund in Fortnite

Fortnite players could get refunds of up to 2,000 V-Bucks, or a cash equivalent. To do so, users must meet the following criteria for eligibility, as outlined by the FTC:

• Parents whose children made an unauthorized credit card purchase in the Epic Games Store between January 2017 and November 2018
• Fortnite players who were charged in-game currency (V-Bucks) for unwanted in-game items (such as cosmetics, llamas, or battle passes) between January 2017 and September 2022
• Fortnite players whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.

The refunds will be processed for players in the United States.

When can I get a FTC V-Bucks refund in Fortnite?

No timing has been given for when Epic Games or the FTC plan to start issuing the refunds. Given that the order has now been finalized, players can expect more information to surface soon.

For now, the FTC has asked those who believe themselves to be eligible to check the FTC.gov/Fortnite website regularly for updates.