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Were you an Amazon Flex driver from late 2016 to August 2019?

If so, you may be able to get the tips you earned that Amazon previously withheld. Several months ago, we told you the FTC filed a case against Amazon for keeping $61.7 million in tips drivers made while delivering for the Amazon Flex program. 

Today, the FTC announced a final settlement order in which Amazon will pay the full amount – $61.7 million – back to drivers. In addition, Amazon agreed to change its business practices and will be fined up to $43,792 per incident if it violates the order in the future.

So, if you were a Flex driver, how can you get your money?  Well, you don’t have to do anything. The FTC’s Office of Claims and Refunds will distribute the money based on information in Amazon’s records. The FTC expects to send payments to affected drivers within six months. If you were an Amazon Flex driver, you can sign up to get email updates about the status of the refund process in the case.

If you’re considering becoming a gig worker, here are some things to consider.

  • Do your research. Search for information about the company online, like how it pays its workers and any other conditions of the job.
  • Compare earnings. Will you be paid hourly? By gig? Will you get every dollar a customer tips you? And will the company reduce your pay based on the tips you receive? Once you’re on the job, ask the company for a breakdown of your earnings so you can be sure you’re getting what they promised.
  • Report your concerns. If a company doesn’t deliver on its promises, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Sonicfruits
June 10, 2021
Finally !! And I do really appreciate you guys going after them, It was quite a shock to see our earning literally cut in half and then not being able to resolve anything with them But I question the wisdom of letting Amazon "Use information from their records" They have already cheated us and lied to us about this whole affair, now we are supposed to trust them to return all of the tips??
Tuxedomask2001
June 10, 2021

In reply to by Sonicfruits

I 100% agree with sonic, is there going to be a breakdown of what days we didn't get a tip? Further more how do WE know what you have is accurate? Say we did have a block where we got tips that exceeded the 18 pwr hour that Amazon promised us, but didn't get the 18 we were promised from Amazon, do we get that money as well? Also why aren't we getting interest as a result of them taking our money? How fair is that exactly that were are only getting the money we were supposed to be paid at, at that time? Why is there no additional fines for withholding our wages for so long?
slim
June 10, 2021
Its good to see that the drivers will receive their tips earned. Corporation are far to greedy!!!
CeeCeeD
June 10, 2021
Congratulations to the FTC for doing a great job in getting restitution for the many member of the public who have fallen victims to greedy individuals and organizations through devious offers and outright theft.
Isma
June 10, 2021
I love this country…… a nation of laws and no one is above the law. Thanks
Screw Amazon
June 10, 2021
So they agree to pay back what they STOLE but receive ZERO punishment for doing this in the first place?
FTC Staff
June 10, 2021

In reply to by Screw Amazon

Read the press release for more information about the Final Administrative Consent Order. Amazon agreed to change its business practices and will be fined up to $43,792 per incident if it violates the Order in the future

Janis
June 11, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

So they’ll only get punished if they do it again? This is why corporations pull this stuff - because they know if they’re caught they’ll be no real consequences.
Gigette
June 11, 2021
When will we be seeing a payment and WHO will be distributating the funds? Amazon or the FTC? Are we trusting Amazon to do the right thing? Rotflol. What is the average amount a full time Flex driver can expect in reimbursement?
Bsull
September 05, 2021

In reply to by Gigette

I think it Said Amazon would have a week to hand it over.. so I'm assuming by December 31th 2021
Tax concerned
June 10, 2021
Will this money affect our income earned for this year's taxes? I'm concerned about owing taxes on this money that is being returned.
Bsull
September 05, 2021

In reply to by Tax concerned

Pretty sure it's taxable income but only once you received it
FlexGuru
June 10, 2021
I find It odd that Amazon flex won’t let me update my address to the current one. It’s easy to believe that half of all drivers involved in this payout have moved since then. If you’re going to reply. Please don’t tell me to contact Amazon flex support via email.
Stomkat
June 11, 2021

In reply to by FlexGuru

Exactly. Hopefully they'll direct deposit mine, because although I've moved I still have the same bank account.
TommyBoy
June 14, 2021

In reply to by FlexGuru

I was just now able to update my information via the Amazon Flex app. At first I didn’t think I could, but I was able change my address. Thanks for reminding me to do that! LoL!
Flexer333
December 03, 2021

In reply to by FlexGuru

Did you ever receive your refund? I updated my address in the app but I think it was AFTER Amazon provided the address information to the FTC.
Concerned Citizen
June 10, 2021
Fantastic news. Like others have mentioned, it seems crazy that Amazon doesn't have to pay any interest on the lost wages, but getting the money back is certainly better than nothing.
DINSEATTLE
June 10, 2021
Thank you for following through. Still do not understand why Amazon doesn't have to pay back through January 2016 for stolen tips. Thank you FTC. Greatly appreciated.
Seriously2021
June 11, 2021
This is lunch money for Amazon and sad. Not cool and should be way more than they stole. Funny how they kept count of what they stole.
Syed
June 11, 2021
This is our great country. When something happened illegal they found out and the justice is being served. Every Amazon drivers deserved this money. Thanks FTC
TRitz
June 11, 2021
Not even a slap on the wrist after being caught stealing from contractors? I have emails from Amazon where I knew I was being taken advantage of and asked for detailed reports of my tips because I was actually losing money driving for them and not once have they ever given me any of the break downs I have asked for. Why are we taking the thief’s word for it on what they back owe as well? What about people who couldn’t pay their bills because they were stolen from?
Kfuqua
June 11, 2021
How do you know if you qualified or not ? Was there actions I was supposed to take on my end?
Stomkat
June 11, 2021
We knew when it started happening. Our tips were suddenly at least half what they were previously. They denied, denied, denied. Everyone said there was no way they were keeping our tips. It started in February, and people were saying 'oh, it was just because ppl were tipping better for Xmas.' I'm so glad they were finally investigated. I worked over 6 months, having my tips used to pay my wage. Hopefully someone makes sure we get ALL the tips we are actually owed, instead of us getting some negligible token amount. They were literally taking hundreds in tips from me every week!
Ladygodiva
June 12, 2021
Finally! Back in 2017 I had a 22 package delivery and it was the only one. The secretary at the business said enjoy your 20$ tip. Well...never got it. I went back to het and told her she should demand that money back! She handed me the invoice and said she didn't have time. After 6 or 7 emails and Amazon threatening me with the loss of working for them..i quit sending the emails. But on each email I sent they replied every time with this matter is closed...
Sam.k
June 19, 2021
How about people who have moved and do not work with Amazon flex anymore? I even do not use the same email anymore! How can I get my money back?
David R
June 19, 2021
Okay, so when do the refunds begin.
PN
July 19, 2021
It was stated the payment would be sent within 6 months after they receive the funds. This was after their alloted time frame that ended 03/31. How do we find out if FTC has received the funds so we know when the 6 months end?
Frank Wallington
July 26, 2021
Amazon flex most of the time doesn’t pay enough to cover the IRS deduction per mile. Example today I picked at a Amazon distribution center 3.5 hour route paid 18 per hour. Total miles from pickup to last delivery 138 miles. IRS deduct per mile is 0.56 cents per mile equals $ 77.28. Amazon pay was $63 so I lost $14.28 delivering for Amazon today do in reality I gave Amazon
notaflexfan
August 01, 2021
From my recent experience working for Amazon Flex, it seems they are still guilty of doing this. As a driver, you do not get a breakdown of your tips at all, just a dollar amount they say you received. I questioned this with Flex support twice because the tips I received were not believable, and I was told they could not provide me with a breakdown because they were protecting the customers' privacy. This doesn't seem believable to me since I deliver for Uber Eats and have delivered for DoorDash and got a breakdown for each delivery and same thing for rider tips on Uber and Lyft. Why would Amazon be so secretive about these tips? The flex delivery program is taking advantage of people who have few other options. I am still shocked that they get away with treating people this way.
Pxn
August 18, 2021
When is the 6 months up? Funny how they terminated my contract when this came about in March now i cant even confirm they have my correct bank information. In those years i went from easily making 1k a week working it part time to barely making 500 or less. I have absolutely no idea how much they owe but i know it was atleast a couple Ks
Liz
August 30, 2021
I really hope tips are being monitored by the FTC in some way... since now there is no full trust... :( I just started delivering for Amazon flex and it's definitely not an easy job... We deserve the tips :/ ... Also helps make the job worth it. When you take in account gas, personal car use, energy from our body, taxes, etc. ; the payout should be worth it.
NDuncan2008
September 01, 2021
Thank you FTC. I was one of the first 100 driver to start working with them when they first started out. As time went by I noticed that tips was being taken away. But like the rest of the comment how are they going to know how much to reimburse us back? This was months/ years of our checks being short and they would not show us the tips on the app. When we all first started out the money was great but, as time went by we all noticed what they were doing. As a single parent this was how I was able to maintain by providing for my kid for part time work. I really do appreciate the opportunity that they gave us all but, it was wrong.
Kennyg303
September 23, 2021
Anybody got anything yet? Yes
Matt
September 30, 2021
Is there a reason they don’t have to pay the earnings plus interest?
Abdul
October 01, 2021
About time someone hold Amazon company accountable for good. They stole my hard earned tips from customers throughout my time as Amazon Flex driver. When I started questioning Amazon flex driver customer service support team about missing tips payments!?! They deactivated my Amazon flex account for good. In Seattle area, City of Seattle Adjustment SEA Ordinance No. 126094 bill. So, the company drivers can pay drivers additional $2.50 per stop due to pandemic. They found another tactics to start short changing drivers and refused to pay me my PSST (sick days payment) payment which is $283.80 per day multiple by eight days. Hopefully I’ll see all my payments one day.
Tula
October 26, 2021
Did anyone or does anyone know when pay outs are going to begin on this? Just wonder If they have even started paying out.
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