Amazon is continuing to send$1.5 billion in consumer refundsas the result of a Federal Trade Commission settlement, but why?
Here's a recap of the settlement, why checks are being cut and who may be receiving payment.
Why is Amazon sending $1.5 billion in refunds?
The required refund payments are the result of a 2023 complaint filed against the company for allegedly enrolling unknowing customers into Amazon Prime subscriptions.
"Amazon used manipulative, coercive, or deceptive user-interface designs known as 'dark patterns' to trick consumers," the FTC said in a release at the time.
The commission alleges that Amazon had knowingly enrolled tens of millions of customers into subscriptions and also made it difficult for customers to cancel Prime subscriptions.
month? Here's where to look
Am I getting an Amazon settlement check?
Checks or digital payments will be automatically sent to individuals that fit all three eligibility requirements:
- U.S. Amazon Prime customers
- Those that either signed up for an Amazon Prime subscription via a "challenged enrollment flow" or were unable to cancel their subscription through the online cancellation flow between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025.
- Those that used no more than 20 Amazon Prime benefits within any 12-month period following their Prime enrollment. This includes free Prime Music and Prime Video products.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things cost of living related for USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Amazon still sending settlement checks? FTC refunds explained
