Coming Soon: Instacart Customer $60M FTC Settlement

Consumers whom Instagram charged certain Instacart fees or who had difficulty receiving a requested refund may be eligible to claim a refund from an FTC settlement.

Maplebear Inc., doing business as Instacart, agreed to pay $60 million to settle a lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission filed. The lawsuit alleged that Instacart engaged in deceptive business practices, including misleading advertising about delivery fees, failing to provide full refunds as promised and enrolling consumers in paid subscriptions without obtaining their express informed consent.

The proposed order for the $60 million judgment is pending approval from a district court judge. The FTC will release more information about the refund process after the court grants approval to the settlement.

Who is eligible to receive an Instacart refund?

Individuals eligible to receive an Instacart refund may include:

• Consumers who paid mandatory service fees on their first order, which Instacart advertised as "free delivery"
• Consumers whom Instacart denied full refunds despite the company's advertised “100% satisfaction guarantee” and instead received only partial credits or could not locate the refund option
• Consumers who signed up for a free trial of Instacart+ and whom the company automatically enrolled in a paid subscription without clear and conspicuous disclosure of the terms

How much will the FTC Instacart settlement payment be?

The settlement administrator will determine the payment amount each qualifying Instacart customer receives by:

• The number of eligible consumers Instacart and the FTC identify
• The specific amount Instagram charged each person for mandatory services fees on their first order or unauthorized Instacart+ memberships or denied as a refund
• Any administrative costs associated with distributing the refunds

Will there be a claim form?

The FTC will announce the refund claim process after the settlement receives court approval.

$60 million settlement fund

The $60,000,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and expenses: To be determined
• Payments to eligible Instacart customers: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: To be determined

When is the Instacart settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will determine the timeline for Instacart refund payments to qualifying customers at a later date.

Why did this refund settlement happen?

The FTC filed a lawsuit against Instacart alleging the company engaged in deceptive and unfair practices.

In addition to the $60 million payout, the settlement prohibits Instacart from making delivery service costs and satisfaction guarantee misrepresentations. The company must also disclose subscription terms more clearly and and obtain express informed consent for transactions where consumers are automatically charged unless they opt out.

Sources

1. FTC press release, Dec. 18, 2025
2. FTC legal complaint and stipulated order