Fortnite players are being sent money thanks to Epic Games’ $245M legal mistake

Some Fortnite players just got a surprise PayPal deposit. Spoiler: It’s not V-Bucks. It’s actual money.

Back in 2022, the Federal Trade Commission sued Epic Games, Fortnite’s billion-dollar developer, over shady design choices. The FTC accused Epic of using “dark patterns” to trick players, especially kids, into making accidental purchases.

Epic also let kids spend freely without adult approval and punished users who dared dispute charges. If your kid went rogue with your credit card and you tried to fix it, Epic might’ve locked your account.

As part of a $245 million settlement, Epic agreed to pay up. Fast-forward to June 2025: over $126 million just landed in nearly a million PayPal accounts.

Fortnite players are receiving money after Epic settled a lawsuit

Epic Games has been busy after settling a lawsuit with FTC, which resulted in nearly $200 million total being sent back claimants. If you bought unwanted Fortnite junk between 2017 and 2022, or your kid did, there’s still time. The refund deadline is now July 9, 2025.

FTC

Claims are being paid via PayPal or check. No, Epic Games isn’t doing this out of generosity. The FTC is handling it. Epic’s own refund policy is separate and doesn’t apply to Xbox, PlayStation, or other platforms. You’ll need to contact them directly for those.

Why did your friend get $30 while you scored $470? Simple math. The refund reflects how much you lost. For one accidental emote, you get a snack. For dozens of impulse buys and a locked account, a steak dinner. The FTC tailored each payout to match individual claims and Epic’s receipts.

And players are thrilled. One posted, “FTC vs Epic Games get absolutely f**ked thanks for the early birthday money 😭” after pocketing $450+.

Another joked, “Me using my Fortnite FTC refund for Apex coins.”

Epic’s legal life is complicated. They beat Apple in court over payment links, shaking up the App Store. But now they’re getting sued by SAG-AFTRA for their AI usage. One win, one lawsuit, and a $245 million lesson later, Epic’s still in the game, but not unscathed.