Amazon Forced to Pay Up: Who's Eligible for Refunds After $2.5 Billion Settlement
A $2.5 billion settlement between Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a crucial stage in January 2026. The FTC's investigation found that Amazon used manipulative digital design tactics to 'dupe' millions of people into enrolling in Prime without their clear consent.
The company was accused of implementing payment processes where it was extremely difficult to complete a purchase without almost accidentally accepting a $14.99 monthly subscription.
Additionally, the FTC complained that the cancellation system was not designed to help users, but to hinder them through confusing and redundant steps, preventing people from stopping paying for a service they did not want.
For those who did not receive an automatic refund last year, there is now another chance to get some of their money back. The new phase of claims is open to US consumers who were enrolled in Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025.