Kathrine Frich
If you’ve ever returned something to Amazon but never got your money back, you might be in luck.
Thousands of Amazon users are discovering unexpected deposits in their accounts, and some are getting serious cash back for purchases they made years ago.
Here’s what’s going on and why you might be next.
Paying Customers Back — Years Later
If you’ve ever returned something to Amazon but never got your money back, you might be in luck.
The retail giant has quietly started issuing unexpected refunds for orders dating back to 2018, according to reports.
Some customers have discovered hundreds even thousands appearing in their accounts without warning.
Received Over $1,800 for a 2018 Return
Social media lit up after a man revealed Amazon had refunded him $1,800 for a television he returned in 2018.
The platform initially withheld the refund, but seven years later, it finally arrived, with no email, no notice, just cash hitting his account.
Other users have shared similar stories, fueling speculation and surprise.
A Lawsuit May Be Behind It
This sudden wave of refunds isn’t a random act of corporate kindness. In 2023, Amazon was hit with a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to issue or canceling refunds without explanation.
After Amazon tried to have the lawsuit dismissed, a judge refused in April 2025, and that’s when the refunds began flowing.
Amazon Admits to “Unresolved” Returns
In a statement to Bloomberg, Amazon acknowledged the issue.
A “very small subset” of product returns hadn’t been resolved due to the company being unable to verify whether the correct item was returned.
As a result, they’ve opted to refund those cases in full, rather than contest them or leave them open indefinitely.
Refunds Without Sending Anything Back
A handful of users claimed they received refunds without ever returning the products.
Whether due to internal errors, mismatched item tracking, or automated decisions linked to the lawsuit, it’s created a sense of confusion and a windfall for a lucky few.
Hasn’t Been Notifying Customers
Most of the refunded users reported no email or notification from Amazon.
Instead, the funds appeared in their bank account, Amazon Wallet, or as gift card balances.
If you’ve returned an item in the past few years, now might be a good time to review your Amazon order history and payment records.