Latest news with #V-bucks
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fortnite Players To Get $126M Refund This Week: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Fortnite users who were billed for unwanted purchases may soon get a refund from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Why It Matters Fortnite is a free-to-play online video game developed by Epic Games, known for its fast-paced battle royale mode where 100 players compete to be the last one standing. It has attracted a massive following, with some 650 million registered users in 2023, according to Statista. This week, the FTC is reopening the refund claim process for eligible players under a $245 million settlement with Epic Games, Fortnite's developer. The settlement stems from allegations that Epic used misleading tactics to prompt unapproved purchases, especially by children playing without supervision. What To Know Originally announced in December 2022, the settlement was the largest gaming-related refund in FTC history. At the time, the agency accused Epic of designing game mechanics that misled users into making transactions they didn't intend. A previous round of refunds, totaling over $22 million, was issued in December. On Wednesday, the FTC confirmed that nearly 970,000 payments, totaling more than $126 million, will be distributed on June 25 and 26. These will be sent either through mailed checks or PayPal. Fortnite V-Bucks are offered for sale at a video game retailer on December 19, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Fortnite V-Bucks are offered for sale at a video game retailer on December 19, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. GETTY Who Can Get A Refund? You can apply for a refund if: You were billed in in-game currency, known as V-bucks, for items you didn't intend to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022. Your child made unauthorized charges to your credit card between January 2017 and November 2018, without your consent. Your Fortnite account was disabled between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing charges with your credit card company. Claims are only being processed for players who live in the U.S. currently. How to Get Your Refund Players can visit a designated FTC website to check eligibility, and a valid claim requires either an Epic Account ID or a claim number. While the original deadline to file was February 14, the agency has now extended it to July 9. No action is needed if a claim was submitted after February 14. Recipients of physical checks should cash them within 90 days. PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. Those aged under 18 must have a parent or guardian submit the request. If you are still yet to apply, you can visit the FTC's website to find out more. If needed, you can email admin@ or call 1-833-915-0880 for more information or if you need help with your claim. The FTC also notes that in claiming a refund, your Fortnite account won't be affected, and you will not lose any items you have purchased. What Happens Next The FTC has said it expects to send more payments in 2026 "after we have reviewed and validated all claims."
Arab Times
29-01-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Parents are refusing to fund teens' digital spending habits
NEW YORK, Jan 29: Frustrated by her teenage daughters' spending habits, a New Jersey mother has decided to stop funding their nonessential purchases. The 48-year-old parent now requires her daughters, aged 14 and 15, to use their babysitting earnings to pay for things like $40-per-year Snapchat+ memberships, manicures, and delivery services like Crumbl and Starbucks. "I'm not going to pay for that," the mother explained, citing frustration over impulse buys, especially those that she sees as unnecessary. She noted that her daughters have often turned to services like DoorDash to order Starbucks if allowed, which she finds excessive. This stance is not unique to this family. Many other parents are also refusing to pay for their teens' impulse purchases, especially in-app buys for things that add up quickly. One parent mentioned her experience with the Roblox gaming app, which led to hundreds of dollars in accidental charges after her children made in-game purchases. After this, she decided to ban the app from her home. "Roblox robs you," she said. Other parents have shared similar stories about eye-watering in-app charges. One family reported accumulating $4,000 in charges due to their son's excessive spending spree on Roblox, where the distinction between real and virtual money can sometimes be unclear. On Reddit, one mom shared that her son spent $568 on in-app purchases using his Meta VR headset, while another questioned whether to let her kids spend their allowance on in-game currency like Fortnite's V-bucks. 'I think it's their money, and I'm all about letting them 'waste' it on impulse buys,' one parent wrote online. "That's the best way for them to learn lessons about saving money and the value of what they buy." While some parents are adamant about not paying for digital purchases, others still are, though they aren't entirely happy about it. One mom admitted to feeling stuck with her 16-year-old's $3.99 monthly Snapchat+ subscription, which has been charged to her card for over two years. Despite reservations about the app, the teenager acknowledged the subscription had become a new social norm. 'It's annoying, but that's just how things are today,' she said, explaining that Snapchat provides a more personalized and visually appealing experience than texting. Snapchat's premium membership offers perks such as the ability to modify chat wallpapers and view who has rewatched stories, as well as access to a feature that reveals the 'Best Friends' lists. The premium version also allows users to customize the app's logo design, which one of the teens used to match her aesthetic. Snapchat remains one of the most popular social media platforms for teens, with Pew Research data showing it ranks alongside Instagram and TikTok. It's popular because of its gamified features, such as streaks and trophies, which help keep teens engaged and encourage constant communication with friends. Despite the widespread use of Snapchat+ among teens, some parents remain skeptical. One mother expressed her dislike for social media and wished she could remove it entirely, feeling that her kids were 'just seeking attention.' As digital spending continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether parents will continue to hold firm on their refusal to fund their teens' in-app purchases.
