In-app purchases are big business for iPhone app developers these days… and one Connecticut woman found out just how true that is in the most expensive way possible.
In July, the woman’s youngest son began using in-app purchases to buy in-game currency for “Sonic Forces” – a popular game on the iPad. The problem was that he was buying add-ons ranging from $1.99 to $99.99 at a time.
When 25 charges were posted to her account on a single day valued at over $2,500, she knew something was up. The woman immediately filed a fraud claim with Chase.
After an investigation, however, Chase determined that the charges were genuine – which is when the woman was told to contact Apple directly.
With Apple, she learned that the charges added up to a staggering $16,293.10, and every one of them tied back to “Sonic Forces.”
To make matters worse, Apple refused to refund any of her money because she didn’t inform them of the issue within 60 days.
She said the reason she waited so long was because Chase was still doing their investigation and they said the charges were likely fraud.
Apple Support even had little sympathy when the woman said that she wouldn’t be able to make her mortgage payment because of the charges.
They stated simply that “there is a setting [to turn off in-app purchases], you should have known what was going on.”
In the end, it was certainly an expensive lesson for this Connecticut woman to learn about in-app purchases. It’s also one that her son probably isn’t going to live down anytime soon.
For the record, the parental control options to turn off or limit in-app purchases can be found in the “Settings” app.
Who, in their right mind, let’s a child have access to in-ap purchases or ANY purchase on a computer, phone or iPad? Pay your Bill lady!
Apple should have a system in place to notify customers of excessive charges being charged to their account.
I could not find in settings on how to do this
See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204396
I was not able to find the place in Settings for managing purchases by family members. I noticed where it can be turned off. Apple should make this explicit on the initial Settings page. And I agree that Apple should have notifications in place for excessive charges, so that whether the charges are similar to the example or are fraudulent the customer can take early action.
I feel parents don’t pay attention to what their children are doing or how much time they are are spending on devices and this is just what can happen when devices are used to babysit their children. Sorry but it’s your responsibility to pay.
There are safeties now where the merchant are required to ask the buyer if they are 16 years old or above.