Related videos:
Thousands of Amazon users in the United States have started receiving automatic payments of up to 51 dollars in recent days, an unexpected refund directly to their PayPal or Venmo accounts.
However, what has surprised many is not just the money, but an unusual detail in the accompanying notice: a direct mention of President Donald Trump, which has generated confusion and theories among consumers.
Why does your name appear in a refund notification? And what does Amazon have to do with all of this?
A refund arising from a claim against Amazon Prime
The origin of these payments dates back to a lawsuit filed in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission against Amazon.
The main complaint was that the company had enrolled consumers in its Prime service without obtaining clear consent, and that it also made it difficult for them to cancel their membership once activated.
According to the case documents, the purchasing process on Amazon included steps that could lead to confusion, causing users to subscribe to Prime without realizing it or without explicitly confirming.
Once registered, they faced hurdles when trying to cancel the service: multiple screens, unclear instructions, and obstacles that the FTC deemed deliberate.
In September 2025, after two years of litigation, Amazon and the FTC reached an agreement requiring the company to redesign its subscription and cancellation processes and to pay an amount that includes refunds to consumers.
The total fund exceeds $2.5 billion, of which a portion is already being distributed directly to those affected.
Why does the notice mention "President Trump"?
A phrase included in the refund notice has caught the attention of many:
"You are receiving this amount because you are eligible for a payment under an agreement reached by the FTC of President Trump with Amazon.com Inc."
The statement has generated surprise because the lawsuit was filed in 2023, when Joe Biden was already serving as president. So, why is Trump mentioned?
The reason relates to the administrative and legal timelines within the federal government.
Investigations and the lines of action of agencies such as the FTC can begin during one presidential administration and conclude in another.
In this case, the indications that prompted the legal action against Amazon are said to have begun being examined by the FTC during Donald Trump's presidency (2017–2021).
Although the demand was formalized later, the language of the notice reflects that institutional and legal history.
In other words, this is not a recent political initiative nor a decision made by the president.
The text refers to the origin period of the research, as part of a common practice in legal documents issued by federal agencies.
Who can receive up to 51 dollars?
The agreement benefits consumers who registered for Amazon Prime between June 2019 and June 2025, under the subscription processes that were challenged by the FTC.
But not everyone who registered during that period will receive payments. To be eligible, the user must meet two conditions:
-Being registered through the enrollment flows deemed problematic.
-Having used little or none of the Prime benefits in the months following registration.
This is based on the logic that many users were signed up inadvertently or without fully understanding the terms of service.
The amount to be received varies depending on the charge history and whether the customer has previously received any type of refund from Amazon. The maximum amount is $51.
How do the payments arrive?
Refunds began to be sent out on November 12, 2025, and will continue until the end of December.
Eligible consumers will receive the money automatically, without the need to complete forms or go through additional procedures.
The money is distributed through two main platforms: PayPal and Venmo, under the name “FTC Prime Subscription Settlement Fund.”
If the user does not accept the payment within a certain timeframe, a physical check will be sent to the address registered on their Amazon account.
The aim of this method is to streamline the process and reduce the friction that typically accompanies mass refunds, avoiding intermediaries or unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.
How can you tell if the notice is legitimate?
As with any significant payment, this type of refund quickly becomes a target for scammers.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued several recommendations for users to verify the legitimacy of the notice and protect their personal information:
- Check directly from the official PayPal and Venmo applications or websites.
-Avoid clicking on links received via email or text message.
-Be wary of any requests for codes, passwords, or banking information.
-If the payment appears in the account automatically under the official name of the fund, no further action is required. You should not pay any fees or provide additional information to receive the money.
This case adds to a series of legal and regulatory actions against major technology companies that have been criticized for lack of transparency in their practices towards consumers.
In this context, the FTC seeks to establish precedents that require platforms to provide clearer, simpler, and fairer processes.
The agreement with Amazon not only represents financial compensation but also conveys a message about how online subscriptions should operate.
Filed under: