Amazon has begun issuing refunds to eligible customers under a revised $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, resolving allegations that the retailer misled consumers into enrolling in its Prime subscription program.
The FTC said last month that the expanded agreement makes more customers eligible for payments and increases the maximum refund from $51 to $200. Amazon had refunded more than $845 million as of September. Under the settlement, the company must return $1.5 billion to customers and pay a separate $1 billion civil penalty.
Who is newly eligible for a refund?
Amazon’s original September 2025 order covered only customers who used fewer than 10 Prime benefits—such as free shipping—during a 12-month period. The revised order broadens eligibility to members who used as many as 20 benefits within a year and joined Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.
When will Amazon customers get their money?
The company began automatically sending payments to newly eligible customers on Thursday. According to the FTC, millions of people who used up to 20 Prime benefits now qualify for refunds of as much as $200.
If the required payment threshold has not been reached by February 2027, Amazon will automatically send an additional $149 to consumers who already received settlement refunds. Every eligible customer is expected to receive a payment by April 2027.
How will refunds be made?
Refunds will be delivered electronically through Venmo or PayPal, while some consumers will receive checks by mail.
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Consumers do not need to file a claim, respond to a notice or complete paperwork to receive the money, the FTC said.
Amazon is handling the refund process, and the FTC emphasized that it is not contacting consumers directly about the settlement. The agency warned that anyone claiming to represent the FTC in connection with these payments is likely attempting to commit fraud.
