Amazon customers now have the opportunity to file a claim as part of a $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), addressing allegations related to misleading enrollment practices within the Prime shopping service.
In the settlement finalized in September 2025, Amazon agreed to provide $1.5 billion in refunds to eligible customers and also pay a $1 billion civil penalty. The FTC claimed that Amazon misled customers into subscribing to Prime and made the cancellation process cumbersome.
While Amazon did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement, customers looking to file a claim can visit the designated settlement website for guidance. Many eligible customers will receive automatic payments without needing to submit a claim, but others may have to do so, as indicated on the site.
Customers who signed up for Prime through what the FTC termed a “challenged enrollment flow,” which includes pages like the shipping selection and single-page checkout, are eligible for automatic refunds. Additionally, those who utilized three or fewer Prime benefits within a 12-month period will also receive refunds without needing to file a claim.
Prime benefits encompass services such as free two-day shipping, Prime Video streaming, and Amazon Music. If customers enrolled in Prime through a “challenged enrollment flow” between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, and accessed Prime benefits between three and ten times within a year, they may need to submit a claim to qualify for compensation.
Eligible customers required to file a claim will be notified through an email or a mailed letter, according to the settlement site.
To submit a claim, individuals will need to provide specific information, including a claim ID and PIN that they received via email or mail. Claims must be signed and submitted by July 21.
Refunds for qualifying individuals can be as much as $51, although some may receive smaller amounts if they enrolled in a trial membership that charged less than the standard Prime fee.
Notifications regarding eligibility will be sent via email or post by January 23. Customers will have 180 days to file their claims, and Amazon is expected to review each claim within 30 days of receipt. Payments are anticipated to be issued shortly after claims are approved.
The refunds will be distributed through PayPal, Venmo, or by mailed checks, with claimants able to select their preferred payment method.
