Roblox - money lost

[Sarahr22]

Hello,
I am sat in tears. not knowing where to turn. I realised today that my 8 year old has been playing Roblox (which I signed her up to do and put all safety blocks on) but has been making in-app purchases which over the last few weeks amount to nearly £2600. She didn't realise it was real money and I consider myself at fault for not checking - with all the child safety blocks on I didn't realise this would happen. I have hardly any money in my account and am not working at present. I have tried Roblox (no way of calling them just have to fill in a form), Apple (as it was on an iPad and they refused to help) and discussed with my bank that suspicious activity should have been picked up - they refused to help and suggested reporting my child for fraud. I appreciate I should have been more vigilant but any ideas or experiences as I simply don't know where to turn. Thank you

I felt so bad for you when I read your OP. So glad you got it sorted.

Is it robux that she has been buying? I always get a mail notification after I've put robux on for my dc from Apple, an invoice.
I also have all payments etc switched off on the ipad and have his roblox account logged in on my phone, that way he physically has to ask me for robux and I put them on via my phone. Sorry you're going through this what a nightmare!!

Oh just read update! Glad it's sorted

Thank goodness OP, so glad it was sorted for you.

That’s great news

I would warn you to just stay vigilant though because with being hacked you don’t know what other information they may have and if they have the capacity to spend money elsewhere.

My understanding is that Apple receives 30% commission of all in-app purchases, which may suggest why Roblox is sending you back to Apple, and why Apple is refusing to refund you. Roblox ‘only’ received £1,820 so to refund you £2,800 would leave them out of pocket while Apple quite likes £780 in commission for what appears to be very little.

ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1073

Just read the update - dangers of starting a post in between meetings and returning to finish it.

Really glad you got your money back

Phew.

I would change all of your passwords and consider getting new bank cards though.

Thank heavens.

What a relief, you can smile again x

A great update! I hope your daughter is smiling again.

That’s a fantastic update. I’m so pleased for you and for your daughter!

I really thought you would get your money back but I hadn’t anticipated it might be because it was a hacker.

I’d be really nervous about how the hacker got access. Hope you manage to sort that out.

Agree that you should change every single password. I’d remove all your cards from your apple accounts and use gift cards in future. That way you can only ever spend or lose whatever you have loaded up at the time. You can get apple gift cards everywhere.

I bet your daughter is extra relieved.

Great news. I would change all passwords and cancel any cards tou have now!

So, so happy for you! What a huge relief.

By the way, if it was Roblox who investigated and found the hack, I suggest you shame Apple on social media for their complete disinterest in the problem.

My emails from Apple go to my junk folder. No idea why. I've tried to redirect them and they end up there again! Nothing to say that the OP's Apple account is a business account - just that the card is linked to a business account.

Apple were really difficult with me over a recurring subscription. They wouldn't refund all of the payments but did some which made no sense to me whatsoever.

Op I would go back to roblox and ask them to intervene with Apple on your behalf.

Oh sorry just read update. Thank goodness. Well done op.

Amazing news. I'm so pleased for you OP. Phew

Thank you all. Yes it’s such a relief - I’ve aged more in the last few days than ever. Thanks for all the suggestions - we are working with the organizations, banks etc to ensure everything is protected now xxxx

I'm sooooooooo pleased for you. Thank goodness

So pleased for you op!

The hacker did you a huge favour by trying their luck in the middle of the night- idiot!

I told my dd all about this earlier today and she said they make it very tempting to want more and more. We’ve decided to cut right down on her Roblox time.

Try and relax now

Blimey what a turn up!

Mine play a lot of roblox but when I do agree to letting them spend pocket money on it, I log in to PayPal every single time. I have no idea if this is more secure but I like the fact that there's no card linked to the account at all via Apple etc.

I suppose hackers will always find a way.

Glad for you OP

So pleased you got your money back. Sighed a huge sigh of relief for you.

Hope your daughter is okay.

Best update ever!!!!!

I think you need to double down with your bank as you have proof now this was fraudulent.

I suggest you open up a new account and close that one down just to be extra safe.

Fabulous news OP.