FTC Refunds in 2026: How to Check Your Eligibility and Claim Your Money

If you lost money due to deceptive business practices, you might be eligible for money back through a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) refund program.

There is no general nationwide payout or single universal application for all consumers. Instead, the FTC sets up specific, individual refund programs for separate legal settlements against companies that broke consumer protection laws.
 

Who Qualifies for a Refund?

Eligibility and payout amounts depend entirely on the specific legal settlement. Active FTC refund programs cover companies such as Amazon, Grubhub, Ring, Credit Karma, Brigit, and Invitation Homes.

How you receive your money depends on the terms of each individual case:

• Automatic Payments: In some settlements, the FTC automatically identifies affected consumers and sends payments directly by check, PayPal, or Venmo without requiring any paperwork.
• Claims Required: Other settlements require eligible consumers to submit an official claim form before a strict deadline.

 

How to Check If You Are Owed Money

 

1. Visit the Official FTC Website: Search for active cases on the official FTC Refunds database.
2. Review Specific Case Rules: Find the company or settlement in question to read who qualifies, whether you need to file a claim, key deadlines, and how payouts are processed.
3. Keep Your Details Up to Date: If a case requires contact updates, ensure the FTC or its official refund administrator has your current mailing address and contact information.

 

Protect Yourself Against Scams

Scammers often target consumers by promising fake refund payments or pretending to be government officials. Keep these official guidelines in mind:

• The FTC Never Charges Fees: You will never have to pay money to receive an FTC refund or claim a settlement.
• No Threats or Demands: The FTC will never threaten you, demand immediate money transfers, or ask for sensitive financial credentials over the phone or social media to issue a refund.
• Verify Messages: Always verify any refund communication by visiting the official FTC website directly rather than clicking links in unexpected text messages, emails, or advertisements.

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