What the FTC Prime settlement is and who can claim
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a settlement with Amazon over charges that the company made it difficult for people to cancel Prime subscriptions. Amazon agreed to pay out money to people who were charged for Prime without clear consent or who had trouble cancelling. The settlement created a fund, and the FTC is now distributing that money to people who meet certain conditions.
You may be able to claim money if you were charged for an Amazon Prime subscription between January 2016 and the settlement date, and you believe the charge was unauthorized or that you had difficulty cancelling. The amount you receive depends on how many valid claims are filed — the fund is divided among all approved claimants rather than each person receiving a fixed amount.
Key Takeaways
- The FTC settlement fund pays people who were charged for Prime subscriptions they did not clearly consent to or could not easily cancel.
- You do not need to pay money upfront to file a claim — the process is free and run directly by the FTC or its claims administrator.
- Claims must be filed by a specific deadline set by the FTC; missing this date means you lose the right to money from the fund.
- The amount each person receives depends on the total number of valid claims filed, not a set dollar amount per person.
- You will need to provide documentation showing you were charged for Prime and details about when and why you believe the charge was improper.
How to file a claim with the FTC
The FTC handles claims through a designated claims administrator, not through Amazon directly. To file, you visit the official settlement website (which the FTC publishes on its own domain) and submit a claim form. You will need your Amazon account email address, the dates you were charged, and any documentation you have showing the charges.
The form asks you to describe why you believe the charge was unauthorized or why you had trouble cancelling. Be specific: if you never signed up for Prime, say that. If you signed up for a free trial and were charged after it ended, describe when you tried to cancel and what happened. If you were charged multiple times, list the dates.
You can file online through the claims portal, or in some cases by mail if you do not have internet access. The FTC website for the settlement will list both options and provide the mailing address if you need it.
What documents to gather before you file
Gather any proof that shows you were charged for Prime. This includes bank or credit card statements showing the charge, emails from Amazon about the subscription, or screenshots of your Amazon account showing the charge history. You do not need every document — even one statement showing the charge helps.
If you have evidence that you tried to cancel and could not, keep that too. This might be an email you sent to Amazon support, a screenshot of the cancellation page, or notes about when you called customer service. If Amazon's cancellation process was confusing or hidden, describe what you encountered.
The claims administrator will review what you submit. You do not need a lawyer or need to hire anyone to help you file — the process is designed for people to do on their own.
The claim deadline and what happens after you file
The FTC sets a deadline for filing claims, usually several months after the settlement is announced. This deadline is firm — claims filed after it closes are not accepted. Check the official FTC settlement page for the exact date, and file well before that date to avoid missing it.
After you file, the claims administrator reviews your submission. This can take weeks or months. You may be asked to provide more information if your claim is unclear. The administrator will contact you by email or mail if they need anything else.
Once all claims are reviewed and approved, the FTC calculates how much money is in the fund and divides it by the number of valid claims. Each approved claimant receives an equal share. You will be notified how much you are receiving and how the payment will be sent — usually by check or direct deposit.
Why the amount varies and what affects your payout
Unlike some settlements where each person gets a fixed amount, this fund divides the total money equally among all approved claims. If 100,000 people file valid claims and the fund holds $10 million, each person receives $100. If 50,000 people file, each receives $200. The more claims that are approved, the smaller each individual payout becomes.
Your payout does not depend on how much you were overcharged or how many times you were charged. Everyone who has an approved claim receives the same amount. This is why it is important to file even if you were only charged once — your claim counts equally toward the total.
What to do if you have trouble filing or your claim is denied
If you cannot access the online claims portal or have technical problems, the settlement website should list a phone number or email for the claims administrator. They can help you file by phone or mail instead.
If your claim is denied, the denial letter will explain why. Common reasons include filing after the deadline, not providing enough information to verify the charge, or the claim falling outside the time period covered by the settlement. If you believe the denial is wrong, the letter will explain whether you can appeal and how.
Do not contact Amazon about the settlement — they are not handling claims. All communication goes through the FTC or the claims administrator listed on the official settlement website.
How to verify you are using the real FTC settlement page
Scammers sometimes create fake settlement websites that look official but steal personal information or charge fees. The real FTC settlement page is on the FTC's own website (ftc.gov) or on a domain the FTC has officially designated for this settlement. The page will not ask you to pay money to file a claim.
If you search for the settlement online, look for the FTC's official announcement or press release, which will link to the real claims page. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or texts claiming to be from the FTC or Amazon. Go directly to ftc.gov and search for "Prime settlement" to find the official page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay money to file a claim?
No. Filing a claim is completely free. The FTC and the claims administrator do not charge any fee. If anyone asks you to pay to file a claim or to receive your settlement money, that is a scam.
What if I do not have documentation of the charge?
You can still file a claim, but you will need to provide enough detail that the claims administrator can verify the charge happened. Describe your Amazon account email, the approximate dates you were charged, and how much. If your bank or credit card statement is no longer available, explain that in your claim.
Can I file a claim if I already cancelled my Prime subscription?
Yes. The settlement covers people who were charged for Prime at any point between January 2016 and the settlement date, regardless of whether they still have the subscription now. You do not need to be a current Prime member to claim.
How long does it take to receive the money after my claim is approved?
The timeline varies, but typically it takes several weeks to a few months after all claims are reviewed for the FTC to calculate payouts and send them out. The claims administrator will notify you of the payment method and timing once the fund is ready to distribute.
What if I filed a complaint with the FTC about Prime before the settlement?
You can still file a claim through the settlement process. Filing a complaint and filing a settlement claim are separate steps. The settlement claim form is the way to request money from the fund.