Quick answer: To see if the government owes you money from a scam or bad business, go to ftc.gov/refunds and search the list of Federal Trade Commission refund programs for any company you’ve paid. Some refunds arrive automatically by check or PayPal; others need you to file a claim before a deadline. Real FTC refunds are always free. The FTC will never ask you to pay a fee, share a bank password or buy a gift card to get your money. Cash a check within 90 days, and claim a PayPal payment fast, often within about 30 days.
I check this list a few times a year, the same way I check unclaimed property. It takes five minutes, and the programs include household names. Here’s exactly how it works.
How to check for an FTC refund: 5 steps
- Open ftc.gov/refunds. Type the address yourself. Don’t click a link in an email or text.
- Browse “Recent FTC Cases Resulting in Refunds.” Each case has its own page with who qualifies, the amount sent so far and the current status.
- Search for companies you’ve used. Think about subscriptions, games, credit repair, student loan help, tech support, money transfers and online courses.
- Read the status. “Claims open” means you must file. “Payments sent” means checks or PayPal payments already went out to people on the list.
- File or wait. If a claim form is open, use only the official link on the FTC case page. Most claim sites ask for a claim ID from a letter or email you received.
How FTC refunds reach you
| Method | How it works | Deadline to act |
|---|---|---|
| Paper check | Mailed to the address in the company’s records or your claim | Usually cash within 90 days (printed on the check) |
| PayPal | Sent to your email; you accept it in PayPal | Often about 30 days; read the email |
| Zelle or other | Used for some reissued payments | Stated in the FTC notice |
| Claim form | You apply online with a claim ID before the cutoff | Firm deadline on the case page |
The FTC hires outside companies, such as payment administrators, to mail checks and run claim sites. Their names appear on the official FTC case page, which is how you know a letter is real.
Recent refund programs (examples)
These show the range of cases. Amounts and status change, so always confirm on the FTC page.
| Case | What happened |
|---|---|
| Fortnite (Epic Games) | Refunds to players charged for unwanted in-game purchases; the FTC reported sending about $126 million in a 2025 round, with more claims processed later |
| Credit Karma | Refunds over misleading “pre-approved” credit offers; in April 2026 the FTC reissued uncashed payments by Zelle |
| Restoro and Reimage | Tech-support scam refunds; more than $13.1 million completed by PayPal in 2025, then checks for people who missed it |
| Golden Sunrise | Small round of checks in February 2026; claim deadline was May 12, 2026, with more payments expected |
Also read: How to Find Unclaimed Money in Your Name: 5 Free Places to Check
FTC refund vs. class action settlement
People mix these up. Both can put money in your pocket, but they work differently.
| FTC refund | Class action settlement | |
|---|---|---|
| Who brings the case | A federal agency | Private lawyers for a group of customers |
| Where to look | ftc.gov/refunds | The settlement’s own website, named in court notices |
| Cost to you | Free | Free to file; lawyers are paid from the settlement |
| Proof needed | Often just a claim ID | Sometimes receipts or a sworn statement |
State attorneys general also run refund programs. Check your state AG’s website, especially after big multistate cases.
How to spot a fake FTC refund
Scammers love refund news. They know people want the money. Watch for these red flags:
- A fee to “release” your refund. The FTC never charges. Anyone who asks is lying.
- Requests for bank logins, your full Social Security number or gift cards.
- Pressure to act today or “lose your money forever.”
- Links in texts that look like ftc.gov but aren’t. Real FTC web addresses end in .gov.
- Calls from “FTC agents” offering to recover lost money for a cut. That’s a recovery scam aimed at people who were already scammed once.
If you get one of these, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Made-up examples (not real people): These are made-up stories to show how it plays out.
Denise in Ohio gets a plain envelope from a payment company she’s never heard of. She almost tosses it. Instead she looks up the company name on the FTC’s case page, sees it’s the official administrator, and cashes her $38 check the same week.
Mark in Arizona gets a text saying he’s owed $640 from the FTC but must pay a $29.99 “processing fee.” He checks ftc.gov/refunds, finds nothing in his name, deletes the text and reports it.
What to do if you missed a payment
- Check expired? Contact the administrator listed on the FTC case page. The FTC sometimes reissues uncashed payments, as it did for Credit Karma.
- Moved? Update your address with the administrator named on the case page, not through a link someone sent you.
- Missed the claim deadline? Usually that’s final, but some programs reopen. The Fortnite program reopened claims for a time.
- Not sure you qualify? The case page explains who’s eligible. The FTC refund line, listed on each case page, can answer questions.
Do you pay taxes on an FTC refund?
Usually not. A refund generally returns money you lost, so it isn’t new income. If you deducted the original cost as a business expense, the refund may be taxable. Ask a tax professional if you’re unsure, especially for larger amounts.
Mistakes that cost people money
- Ignoring mail from unfamiliar companies. Real refunds often come from administrators you’ve never heard of.
- Letting PayPal payments expire. Check your spam folder.
- Waiting on a claim form. Deadlines are strict.
- Using a “refund recovery” service. You never need one.
Who usually qualifies
FTC refunds go to people the agency says were harmed by a company’s illegal practices. Common groups include:
- Subscription customers charged after trying to cancel, or signed up without clear consent.
- Gamers and parents billed for in-app or in-game purchases they didn’t intend to make.
- Borrowers who paid illegal upfront fees for student loan or mortgage “relief.”
- Victims of tech-support scams who paid for fake computer repairs.
- Money transfer customers whose payments went to scammers.
- Online course and business-opportunity buyers promised earnings that never came.
Amounts vary widely, from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on how much money the FTC recovered and how many people qualify. Some programs pay in more than one round.
A twice-a-year money checklist
| Where | What you might find | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| ftc.gov/refunds | Refunds from FTC cases | 5 minutes |
| Your state AG website | State settlement refunds | 5 minutes |
| MissingMoney.com | Unclaimed property in many states | 5 minutes |
| Your email “spam” folder | PayPal refund notices you missed | 2 minutes |
I set a phone reminder for the first week of April and October. It’s the easiest money check there is.
Other free places to look for money
- Your state’s unclaimed property site and MissingMoney.com
- TreasuryDirect for old savings bonds
- The IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool for unclaimed tax refunds
- Your old employers’ 401(k) plans and the Labor Department’s Retirement Savings Lost and Found
Recommended products
- Document organizers for checks and notices
- Cross-cut paper shredders
- RFID-blocking wallets
- Budget planners
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
How do I know if the FTC owes me money?
Search the refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds for any company you’ve paid. Each case page lists who qualifies and whether claims are open or payments have been sent.
Does the FTC charge a fee to send refunds?
No. FTC refunds are always free. Anyone asking for a fee, gift card or bank password is a scammer.
How long do I have to cash an FTC refund check?
Usually 90 days; the deadline is printed on the check. PayPal payments often must be accepted within about 30 days.
Why did I get a refund check from a company I don’t know?
The FTC uses outside payment administrators. Look up the administrator’s name on the official FTC case page to confirm it’s real.
Are FTC refunds taxable?
Usually not, because they return money you lost. If you deducted the original purchase as a business expense, ask a tax professional.
Bottom line
Five minutes on ftc.gov/refunds can turn up money you didn’t know you were owed. Search companies you’ve paid, file any open claims, cash checks within 90 days, and never pay a fee to get a refund. Do it twice a year, along with your state’s unclaimed property search.
Last reviewed: Oct. 30, 2026.
Sources: FTC: Refunds; FTC: Golden Sunrise settlement; Top Class Actions; CGMagazine: Fortnite refunds; ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Featured image: The Apex Building, headquarters of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons, public domain; edited by Nexgen Headlines.
