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Original poster

Roblox - money lost

269 replies

Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 17:36

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

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 19:24

Apple were quite helpful to me: I'm surprised to hear it.

OTOH Nintendo were fucking arseholes and I can't wait to never have to buy anything from them again.

BobbieDraper · 15/06/2020 19:25

If it doesnt go your way, you could contact the daily mail guy who deals with money and consumers. He usually gets things to go your way or just do it all on social media.

It's not their fault, but they should have made it really clear that in-app purchases were not switched off. That should be an obviously, easy thing to see so this doesnt happen. It's clearly hard to turn off if so many people make this mistake.

thisislovelyme · 15/06/2020 19:33

I've just had an emergency roblox chat with my 8yo! This is not your fault. This could happen to any of us. Hadn't occurred me that they could make real purchases. Thanks for the alert and I'm honestly sure you will get it sorted. Please try not to worry. Just think logically and write a list of things you need to do to sort it out.

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 19:36

Had a response from
Roblox - they won’t deal with it as it was via Apple iTunes and told me route was to go via Apple. Apple already told me earlier they would not entertain refunding and I had reached their final escalation 😢😢😢😢😢. Don’t know where to turn.

OP posts:
LindaLovesCake · 15/06/2020 19:42

What did you actually say to Apple and what did they say back to you before they hung up on you?

BobbieDraper · 15/06/2020 19:42

Social media

mintich · 15/06/2020 19:49

Put on social media and give us all the link so we can comment/retweet to try and get something done

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 19:53

They just said they don't refund and when I asked them to escalate refused and hung up. I will try them again as it now seems only option. Thank you all for your help

OP posts:
SummerHouse · 15/06/2020 19:56

This is so unfair to put you through this but I do believe you will get it all back. Totally I do. Just shit you have to ask more than once. It will happen don't worry. Keep a record of calls, times, what they said etc. Bloody iholes.

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 20:06

Thank you all. I just cant stop crying. My daughter has just gone bed and now just sat here in floods of tears. I feel so stupid that this has happened and a complete failure as a parent for not blocking it all properly. Literally have nothing.

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 15/06/2020 20:08

I don’t understand how this happened to people? Anytime we make a purchase on apple we also get an email receipt so surely you would notice all the emails? After a couple you would wonder what is going on and check it out??

BrieAndChilli · 15/06/2020 20:09

Also on apple you can disable in-app purchases.

LaurieFairyCake · 15/06/2020 20:10

Have they actually TAKEN the money from you?

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 15/06/2020 20:15

How are you paying for this? Debit card? Would it be worth speaking to your bank and stressing that you did put parental controls, and that you are in dispute?

But Laurie makes a good point - have they actually taken the money from your account?

SpideyMom · 15/06/2020 20:24

Oh gosh. I'm so sorry this has happened. Its actually made me check that my card has been removed from my sons tablet.

Something similar was on TV where a mother's son had run up over £1000 on in game purchases. They weren't willing to help at first but she ended up getting all her money back. So please do pursue.

I think is so naughty though for them to allow it. They should not make it so easy for children to just click. I know parents need to set up their own controls too, but i still think its made far too easy for minors to make purchases

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 20:27

I know you are upset and I understand why but you have to calm down, focus and plan for what the worst whilst hoping for the best.

So plan for no refund.

Make sure in apps are turned off for the future.

Get expert help re the debt.

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 20:28

No notifications through of any purchases. We have checked everything. Account linked to ipad was not main account used for day to day spending So only became apparent today when a statement came through. Stopped all use immediately. I literally can’t see through my tears.

OP posts:
ItsSpittingEverybodyIn · 15/06/2020 20:34

How was there money in that account to pay for all of this op if its not main account? It's a lot of money to go unnoticed!

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 20:35

It's really horrible. I do understand. You need to get a grip though. Crying so much you can't see is not going to help.

Do you have someone in real life you can talk to?

You're going to need to pull up your big girl pants and handle this.

ItsSpittingEverybodyIn · 15/06/2020 20:35

Just to clarify I'm not doubting you! I mean are you actually sure that the money has gone from the account?

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 20:37

Well if not main account for day to day spending that means your DC has used savings. This is a much better position to be in.

You've lost savings. Not your money to pay bills. Phew. That's a relief!

FATEdestiny · 15/06/2020 20:39

Were these purchases made quite some time ago?

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 20:39

It was a business account linked to the iPad from my husbands self employment - money was sitting in there to pay tax bill. Husband has not worked for 6 months and now no chance of work so account not been accessed until statement came this morning.

OP posts:
ReginaaPhalange · 15/06/2020 20:39

Can you phone your bank and say they are unauthorised transactions made by a child?