Amazon to e mail tens of millions over computerized Prime refund

[ad_1] Hundreds of thousands of Amazon Prime prospects in the US are set to obtain computerized refunds following a $2.5 billion settlement between Amazon and the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC).

Why It Issues The settlement addresses long-standing client safety issues, because the FTC alleged Amazon enrolled prospects in Prime subscriptions with out their clear consent and made the cancellation course of tough. It represents a big precedent in regulating on-line subscription practices for main U.S. tech firms and offers monetary redress to affected Prime members nationwide.

Newsweek has contacted Amazon by way of e mail for remark.

<img id="11093111" alt="" caption="FILE - An Amazon company logo marks the facade of a building, March 18, 2022, in Schoenefeld near Berlin. Companies make it easy to subscribe to their services — and frustratingly hard to unsubscribe. In June, the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint alleging Amazon duped people into signing up for Amazon Prime subscriptions and then designed a “labyrinthine” cancellation process. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)" captionoverride="File image: An Amazon company logo marks the facade of a building, March 18, 2022, in Schoenefeld near Berlin" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="8640" height="5448" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 1024px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP23331459340898_07486f.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> What To Know On November 12, Amazon started issuing computerized refunds to eligible U.S. Prime prospects in response to a settlement reached with the FTC in September, in response to an FTC assertion.

Amazon didn't admit wrongdoing within the settlement.

The FTC initially filed a lawsuit in 2023, alleging that Amazon employed misleading strategies to enroll tens of tens of millions of consumers in paid Prime subscriptions with out ample consent or simple cancellation choices.

Amazon is required underneath the FTC settlement to make funds totaling $1.5 billion to prospects and to pay a $1 billion civil penalty.

The refund totals the precise Prime membership charges paid by an eligible buyer, as much as a most of $51, minus any prior refunds or credit.

Amazon is notifying eligible prospects by e mail and issuing funds by way of PayPal or Venmo; prospects have 15 days to simply accept.

If a buyer would slightly obtain a paper examine, they'll merely ignore the cost e mail, and Amazon will mail a examine to the default delivery tackle on file.

Checks must be cashed inside 60 days.

<img id="11093112" alt="" caption="Photo by: STRF/STAR MAX/IPx 2021 9/23/21 An Amazon Prime delivery vehicle seen in Hoboken, New Jersey." captionoverride="An Amazon Prime delivery vehicle in Hoboken, New Jersey" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4032" height="3024" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP21266834065841.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Who Is Eligible? To qualify for an computerized refund, it's essential to meet all three of those standards:

Enrolled in a Prime subscription via a so-called “challenged enrollment move”—together with common Prime choice pages, delivery part pages, Prime Video enrollment move, or single web page checkout—between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. Used not more than three Prime advantages, akin to Prime Video or Prime Music, inside any 12 months following enrollment. Be based mostly in the US. What Individuals Are Saying FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson stated in September: “The Trump-Vance FTC made historical past and secured a record-breaking, monumental win for the tens of millions of People who're bored with misleading subscriptions that really feel inconceivable to cancel.”

In its assertion following the settlement, Amazon stated: “Amazon and our executives have all the time adopted the legislation and this settlement permits us to maneuver ahead and concentrate on innovating for purchasers. We work extremely exhausting to make it clear and easy for purchasers to each enroll or cancel their Prime membership, and to supply substantial worth for our many tens of millions of loyal Prime members world wide. We'll proceed to take action, and sit up for what we’ll ship for Prime members within the coming years.”

The FTC stated: “The FTC is just not contacting folks about refunds within the Amazon matter. When you get a name from somebody who claims to be from the FTC, it’s a rip-off. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC won't ever demand cash, make threats, let you know to switch cash, or promise you a prize. And nobody from Amazon will ever ask you for cash to get a refund. Solely scammers say they'll get you particular entry or a assured refund.”

What Occurs Subsequent The automated refund course of will proceed till December 24, 2025. Prospects who don't get an computerized refund or notification should still qualify and could have a chance to submit claims in 2026 by way of subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com.