/images/2023/09/14/woman_using_laptop.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
:format(webp)/images/2023/05/18/amazon-logo-outside-building-in-silicon-valley.jpeg){kind=logo}
/authors/paige-cerulli-headshot.jpg)
/authors/andrea_basse_headshot.jpg)
Add Us On Google
If you were an Amazon customer between 2019 and 2025, a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement could put extra cash in your pocket, but only if you act quickly. Amazon's $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive Prime enrollment and cancellation practices includes payments for affected customers, and the deadline to file a claim is approaching.
Learn how to tell if you might be eligible, how to file a claim, and what to expect from this settlement.
Set up direct deposit - pocket $400
Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.
Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY1 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.2 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p> That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)3 <p>Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26.</p> national average savings accounts offer.
No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus
Amazon's $2.5 billion FTC settlement
Last year, Amazon settled a lawsuit brought by the FTC, alleging it tricked customers into signing up for an Amazon Prime membership. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that Amazon used manipulative or deceptive interface designs called "dark patterns" to trick customers into signing up for Prime subscriptions that automatically renewed.
The lawsuit also alleged that Amazon made the cancellation process highly complicated for Prime subscribers. Allegedly, Amazon did so knowingly and designed the cancellation process to stop customers from cancelling.
Amazon denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the $2.5 billion settlement.
What the settlement means for Amazon customers
The settlement requires Amazon to pay a $1 billion civil penalty. The retailer must also distribute $1.5 billion to affected customers.
Through that distribution, eligible customers should receive a refund equivalent to the Prime membership fees that they paid. Any refunds, credits, or chargebacks the customers received would be deducted from the payment, and individual refunds are capped at $51.
The two-phase payout structure
Amazon is issuing the payments in a two-phase structure. Initial payments are automatically refunded to eligible Prime customers; those payments were sent in November and December of 2025.
Amazon is also holding a claims process for eligible Prime customers who didn't receive an automatic refund. A mailing date for that second round of payments hasn't been announced, but Amazon is expected to send those payments in late 2026. This group must file a claim to receive a payment, and refunds for this group of customers are not automatic.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.4 <p>Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.</p>
Sign up for a free debt assessment here.
Who may be eligible
Many eligible Amazon customers already received their automatic payments, but you may be able to apply for a refund if you meet three specific requirements.
You must be an Amazon Prime customer in the United States.
You must have signed up for an Amazon Prime subscription using a "challenged enrollment flow" like the universal Prime decision page, shipping selection page, single page checkout, or Prime Video enrollment flow. Alternatively, you must have unsuccessfully tried to cancel using the online cancellation flow between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025.
You must not have used more than three credits for Amazon Prime in a 12-month period after enrolling.
How to apply for a payout
You may have already received a mailed or emailed notice from Amazon. These notices started going out in January 2026, and they were sent to eligible Amazon customers who didn't receive an automatic refund in late 2025. The notices include instructions on how to file a claim and feature your claim ID and number.
You may file a claim online by using the settlement website, SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com. When filing a claim, you may need to submit your claim ID and number or the personal information linked to your Amazon account, like your email address or phone number.
If you need help with the claim form, you may email admin@subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com. Payment claims are due by July 27, 2026.
Where to look for your payment
When you file a claim, you may choose to receive your payment by check, PayPal, or Venmo. Amazon then has 30 days to review each claim. Payments may be for amounts up to $51.
Protect yourself during the filing process
Scammers often try to pose as settlement administrators in an effort to capture personal information or demand money. The FTC emphasizes that the organization isn't contacting people about the Amazon settlement, and if you receive communication from someone claiming to be from the FTC, it's a scam. If you file a claim, do so only through the official settlement site linked through the FTC to avoid any scam look-alike sites. Filing is free; legitimate claims don't require a Social Security number, bank login, or payment to file.
If you suspect you've received communication from a scammer, report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Bottom line
If you're part of the group that hasn't received an automatic payment, you must file a claim to receive a refund. The July 27, 2026 deadline to file a claim is quickly approaching, so be sure to file a claim promptly rather than risk encountering a last-minute technical issue that prevents you from filing.
Filing a claim is a relatively simple process that might help you keep more cash in your wallet, so if you believe you qualify, make sure you meet the deadline.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- Retire like the rich: 14 ways you could build wealth in your 50s.
- Find out if you could pay less for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 14 moves seniors could benefit from but often forget about.
/images/2024/10/17/adobestock_805669930_editorial_use_only_1.jpeg)
/images/2025/01/28/adobestock_628402894_1.jpeg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/images/2024/09/04/adobestock_669069249_editorial_use_only_1.jpeg)
Intro Offer
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
/images/2025/01/23/discover_it_cash_back_card_art_gold.png)
/images/2025/02/04/person_using_card_in_atm.jpg)
/images/2020/06/29/pensive-woman-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg)
/images/2026/07/01/11_bernie-sanders-2.jpg)
/images/2026/01/06/old-man-showing-hands-smiling.jpg)
/images/2025/10/13/senior_woman_using_atm_machine.jpg)
/images/2026/05/20/older-man-smiling-tree-blue-shirt.jpg)
/images/2026/09/17/rupert-murdoch.jpg)
/images/2026/08/31/senior-woman-irs.png)
/images/2026/07/01/21_donald-trump-2.jpg)
/images/2026/06/30/dave-ramsey-warning-social-security.png)
/images/2025/11/12/social-security-graphic.jpg)
