Earlier this yr, the United States Federal Trade Commission dominated that Amazon had engaged in misleading practices regarding its Amazon Prime subscriptions—folks have been enrolled unintentionally, they usually additionally couldn’t simply unsubscribe. As a part of the settlement, Amazon agreed to concern refunds to United States Amazon Prime members who meet sure standards.
That half is sweet information for shoppers. Less nice are the scammers that can use this chance to steal cash from you.
Forewarned is forearmed, so right here’s what you could find out about the settlement—who qualifies, how a lot to count on, the way it’ll be disbursed, essential dates, attainable rip-off tips, and extra.
Who qualifies for the Amazon Prime settlement refund
Customers who qualify fall into two totally different camps: Those who will routinely obtain a refund, and those that qualify for a refund after submitting a declare.
Notification of computerized refunds started on November 12, 2025 and can proceed by means of December 24, 2025.
Claims will be filed starting December 24, 2025 through the Amazon Prime settlement website. Those eligible for a refund based mostly on the claims standards will obtain notification of their standing by January 23, 2026.
You will obtain an computerized refund if you happen to meet all the following standards:
- You signed up for Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025
- You signed up for Amazon Prime by means of a “challenged enrollment flow” (outlined as “the common Prime determination web page, delivery choice web page, single web page checkout, or the Prime Video enrollment movement”)
- You used not more than three Amazon Prime advantages in a 12-month interval (EX: Prime Video, Prime Music, and so on)
You are eligible to file a declare for a refund if you happen to meet all the following standards:
- You signed up for Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025
- You by chance enrolled by means of a “challenged enrollment flow” or tried to cancel by means of the net cancellation movement, however couldn’t accomplish that
- You used greater than three, however lower than 10 Amazon Prime advantages in a 12-month interval between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025 (EX: Prime Video, Prime Music, and so on)
For full particulars on the settlement and its phrases, head to the official settlement website.
What if I’m undecided I qualify for a refund?
The official settlement web site’s Frequently Asked Questions explains problem enrollment flows in barely extra element, however extra importantly, it additionally confirms that you simply don’t have to determine for your self if you happen to used a problem enrollment movement or not.
So, if you understand you fall throughout the required dates however aren’t positive if you happen to qualify to file a declare, file one anyway. The worst that can occur is you’ll be denied eligibility.
Who will contact you a couple of refund
While the FTC has published information in regards to the refund, the settlement distribution is being dealt with by Amazon.
An organization required to pay a settlement will sometimes contract an administrator to deal with the claims and disbursement. Accordingly, communication ought to come from the official settlement website or Amazon straight.
To keep away from scammers, double-check any communication relating to the refund—with AI instruments, it’s a lot simpler now for fraudsters to create polished, clear messages that sound official. Closely look at web site addresses (URLs) earlier than clicking on hyperlinks.
How refunds shall be paid to eligible U.S. shoppers
Those who qualify for an computerized refund will obtain an e-mail from Amazon between November 12, 2025 and December 24, 2025. This e-mail will ask you to offer your PayPal or Venmo info for receiving the refund.
Before clicking any hyperlinks, confirm the e-mail got here from Amazon or the official settlement website straight.
You have 15 days to just accept this digital fee. If you miss this window, it will likely be canceled and a verify will routinely be despatched to the tackle on file to your Amazon Prime account.
The FTC recommends cashing refund checks inside 60 days of receipt.
How huge is the Amazon Prime settlement refund?
Qualifying Amazon Prime subscribers are eligible to obtain as much as $51. The precise quantity varies based mostly in your scenario.
For instance, if you happen to acquired any earlier refunds or credit (or carried out a chargeback by means of your bank card firm), that shall be deducted out of your eligible quantity.
The whole quantity paid might have been decrease than $51 as nicely, like if you happen to solely paid a small (and even nominal) quantity for an Amazon Prime trial.
What are the indicators of an Amazon Prime refund rip-off?
Scams have gotten extra refined over the previous yr, which makes recognizing them more durable. But armed with all the knowledge above, you’ll be able to nonetheless search for clues that can give them away.
- The message doesn’t come by means of e-mail.
- The sender of the e-mail is just not Amazon or the official settlement web site. (Check the e-mail tackle’s area and in contrast towards the official URLs.)
- The hyperlink within the e-mail doesn’t direct you to a web page on Amazon or the official settlement web site.
- The message asks you for cash. (For instance, it’s essential to first repay an overdue stability to your Amazon Prime subscription, or you need to first renew prematurely for the approaching yr, and so on.) You’re getting a refund—you shouldn’t must pay something!
- The sender of the message claims to be from the FTC or one other U.S. authorities company.
- The message asks you for private particulars (title, tackle, telephone quantity, fee information, and so on) not essential to ship a PayPal or Venmo fee.
- You go to an online web page to fill out a declare, however the URL doesn’t match the one for the official settlement website.
- Someone contacts you claiming they may help you obtain an even bigger refund.
This record doesn’t cowl each state of affairs, simply the more than likely ones. Basically, if the information you obtain or the request you get sounds a bit off—or on the flip aspect, too good to be true—proceed with warning.