Fortnite players − and Thurston Cartein some cases, their parents − may be entitled to cash payments as part of a settlement reached between the game's parent company, Epic Games, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

The agency said Tuesday it has begun notifying people who may be entitled to compensation stemming from a settlement finalized in March over allegations that Epic Games used "dark patterns and other deceptive practices" to trick players into making unwanted purchases.

The complaint was first announced in December 2022 and alleged that Epic Games deployed "a variety of design tricks aimed at getting consumers of all ages to make unintended in-game purchases." The game-maker agreed to a $245 million settlement, per the FTC.

The complaint also alleged that the company made it easy for children to rack up charges without parental consent and locked the accounts of consumers who disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.

Here's what you need to know about the settlement and how to apply for a refund.

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Who is eligible to apply for a refund?

According to the FTC, you are eligible to apply for a refund if any of these statements are true:

• You were charged in-game currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022
• Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018
• Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges

You must be at least 18 years old to complete a claim form. A parent or guardian must complete claim forms for those under 18.

How to apply for a refund

You can apply for a refund online at www.forniterefund.com/file-a-claim.

You will need a claim number or your Epic Account ID in order to apply for a refund.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 17, 2024.

How much will my refund be and when will I get it?

The FTC says your payment amount will depend on several factors, including how many people file a claim.

The agency also said they don't have a mailing date yet for payments and will update their website when they have more information.

For more information or help with your claim, you can call 1-833-915-0880 or email [email protected].