My household has been an Amazon Prime member for a very long time, but not everyone has or wants Amazon’s premiere service for shipping and videos. For those that didn’t want it or couldn’t easily cancel it, you should be getting some money back soon.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on September 25 that Amazon agreed to pay $1.5 billion in refunds to around 35 million customers who were enrolled in Prime without their clear consent. The company will also pay an additional $1 billion in penalties for deceptive practices.
The government found that Amazon used “dark patterns” to trick consumers into signing up for its $139-per-year Prime memberships. These dark patterns included misleading buttons, confusing screens, and a cancellation process that the FTC said was “exceedingly difficult” to complete.
Who is Eligible for Refunds
If you enrolled in Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, or tried unsuccessfully to cancel during that time, you may qualify. Customers who used three or fewer Prime benefits in a 12-month period will automatically receive up to $51 by December 25, 2025. Others may file claims in 2026 once the FTC opens the next phase of refunds.
The FTC will not contact customers directly about these refunds, so ignore any email, text, or call claiming to represent the agency. (See my other article on how to spot deceptive settlement notices.) Visit FTC.gov/Amazon to check for official updates.
Amazon has pledged to simplify its Prime sign-up and cancellation processes and will be monitored by an independent third party to ensure compliance.
Stay alert and always verify refund announcements at official sources like FTC.gov or on my website CyberSafeCenter.com before responding to any notice.