ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Some Amazon customers are receiving payouts as part of a $2.5 billion settlement over allegations that the company enrolled people in Prime memberships without their consent.

As News10NBC has covered, as part of the settlement, $1.5 billion was set aside for customers with payments beginning in November 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

A viewer named Susan emailed News10NBC with “Amazon Payouts” in the subject line, saying, “I received an email from PayPal stating I received $51 sent to my PayPal account if I accept the money. Is this legitimate or just spam?”

This is legitimate. Last month, the FTC reported Amazon had issued more than $845 million in refunds to customers, up to $200 each. The FTC’s website showed the refunds are being sent by check and digitally through PayPal and Venmo, and those payments will continue through April 2027.

Some customers are automatically receiving payouts while others had to file a claim, and that deadline has passed.

Amazon never admitted to the allegations, but in addition to the $1.5 billion it is paying customers, it also agreed to pay a $1 billion civil penalty.

If you have a good question you’d like answered, send us an email at goodquestion@whec.com.

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