Amazon to Pay $1 Billion Settlement—Check if You’re Eligible for $51

Millions of U.S. Amazon customers could soon be receiving cash payments after the company agreed to a massive settlement with federal regulators. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Amazon of using “deceptive” tactics that made it easy to enroll in its Prime subscription service but difficult to cancel. The company has now agreed to pay more than $1 billion to affected consumers nationwide.

According to the FTC, Amazon allegedly employed “dark patterns” — manipulative website designs and confusing navigation — that pushed customers toward paid Prime memberships without their clear consent. It also said the company imposed complex, multi-step cancellation procedures that deterred people from ending their subscriptions.

Under the settlement terms, eligible U.S. customers may receive individual payouts averaging about $51, though the exact amount will depend on how many people file valid claims. The refunds apply to those who were charged for Prime or other subscriptions they say they did not knowingly authorize.

The FTC said customers who qualify will receive direct notice by email or postal mail with instructions on how to submit a claim. A dedicated website and hotline will also be set up to verify eligibility. No one will be asked to pay money upfront to receive their refund.

This settlement marks one of the largest consumer protection payouts in recent years and underscores growing scrutiny over subscription-based business models. The FTC emphasized that companies must make it just as easy to cancel services as it is to sign up for them.