FTC Expands Amazon Settlement to Reach Millions More Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expanded and accelerated payments under its $2.5 billion settlement with Amazon, which resolved allegations that the company used deceptive design tactics to enroll millions of customers into Prime subscriptions without their clear consent.

Under the revised order, consumers who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits in a one-year period are now eligible for refunds, increasing the pool of affected individuals. The maximum payout has also been raised from $51 to $200.

No claims or paperwork are required for consumers to receive their automatic payments via Venmo, PayPal, or mailed check. Those who already received refunds will be eligible for a second round of payments if the total threshold is not met by February 2027, with an additional $149 bringing the maximum total to $200.

The revised order was approved by a federal court and aims to ensure more consumers benefit from the FTC's historic settlement. Amazon is responsible for administering the refund program, and the FTC cautions that it will never contact consumers about refunds, warning of potential scams.