Amazon refunds up to $200 begin for eligible Prime customers
Amazon has started issuing refunds to eligible customers as part of a $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement, originally announced in 2025 and expanded last month, aims to compensate customers who were misled by what the FTC calls "dark patterns", design tricks that made it easy to enroll in Prime but difficult to cancel.
The expanded payments, which began on October 1, 2023, can reach up to $200 for eligible customers. Payments are being made via electronic transfers (Venmo or PayPal) or mailed checks, with no need for consumers to submit claims or complete forms.
The FTC alleged that Amazon buried the option to avoid Prime during checkout and required customers to navigate a lengthy unsubscribe process. Amazon did not admit liability but must pay a $1 billion civil penalty and issue $1.5 billion in refunds.
Eligible customers include those who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits within a 12-month period. Previously, refunds covered customers who used no more than three Prime benefits. The FTC clarified that each Prime benefit refers to the total uses of Prime benefits in a year, such as instances of two-day shipping.