Amazon Prime Settlement: How to Get Your Refund or Make a Claim

In September 2025, Amazon agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations of deceptive practices surrounding Prime subscriptions. Out of this amount, $1.5 billion is being returned to consumers who were harmed. If you’ve ever signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, you may be eligible for a refund. This guide breaks down who qualifies, how notifications will work, and the steps for filing a claim.

What was Amazon Accused of Doing?

Amazon was accused by the FTC of using deceptive practices that misled customers into signing up for and staying in Prime memberships. Regulators highlighted four key tactics:

• Dark patterns in sign-ups – Checkout pages nudged or confused users into accepting Prime, making it easy to join but hard to decline.
• Hard-to-find cancel options – Cancellation required multiple confusing steps with repeated prompts and “save offers,” leaving many customers still enrolled.
• Automatic renewals without clear consent – Prime defaulted to auto-renewal, often surprising trial users with unexpected charges.
• Failure to disclose terms clearly – Renewal schedules, costs, and cancellation difficulties were buried in fine print or hidden links, preventing informed decisions.

Amazon allegedly designed its customer funnel to prioritize growth and retention of Prime memberships over transparency and customer trust.

Who Is Eligible for an Amazon Prime Refund?

The settlement identifies these groups of customers who are eligible for refunds:
– Customers who enrolled in Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025.
– Customers who signed up through checkout or other pages that pushed Prime.
– Customers who used three or fewer Prime benefits within the first 12 months after enrollment (may receive automatic refunds up to $51).
– Customers who used more than three benefits or attempted to cancel but failed (must file a claim).
Prime memembership includes many benefits such as free shipping, Prime Music, Prime Video and Prime Reading, which special access to over 1,000 free Kindle books and magazines.

How and When Will Amazon Customers Be Notified?

Amazon must notify eligible customers within 30 days of settlement approval. Notifications will be sent via:
– Email
– Postal mail
– Amazon’s website and mobile app

Customers who qualify for automatic refunds should receive them within 90 days of the settlement’s implementation.

How to File an Amazon Prime Claim

Not all customers will receive refunds automatically. If you are required to file a claim, here’s what you need to know:

Who must file a claim?
– Customers who used Prime benefits more than three times in a year.
– Customers who attempted to cancel but failed.

Claim Process:
– A claim form will be provided by Amazon and the settlement administrators.
– You will have 180 days from the date of notification to submit the form.
– Claims can be submitted online, via email, or with prepaid postal mail.
– Amazon must respond to valid claims within 30 days of submission.

What Will the Amazon Claim Form Require?

The claim form may ask customers to:
– Confirm whether their enrollment was unintentional.
– Confirm whether they attempted to cancel but failed.
– Provide date ranges or account details to support the claim.

Valid claims entitle customers to refunds for Prime fees paid during the eligible period, capped at $51.

Conclusion

This settlement is one of the largest consumer protection victories in U.S. history. If you subscribed to Amazon Prime during the covered period, keep an eye on your email, postal mail, and Amazon notifications for instructions on your refund eligibility. Customers who qualify automatically will receive refunds within 90 days, while others must complete a claim form. By following the process carefully, you can ensure you receive any compensation owed to you.