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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:
Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 20:41

Purchases made in last few weeks - average spending around £250 a day. Spoke to bank and they started tsaying could take action against daughter for fraud!!

OP posts:
SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 20:41

Woah! Massive mistake there.

Good news is though tax bill isn't due until end of October or end of January. So you have time to make a plan. Another phew.

You can also arrange to pay smaller amounts to tax bill monthly.

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 20:43

Also with your husband not earning for 6 months the amount you'll have to pay in tax will be smaller. Speak to HMRC in advance. They are willing to advise if contacted in time.

You still have plenty of time.

SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 20:56

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/11/my-kids-spent-600-on-their-ipads-without-my-knowledge

Recent article exactly the same situation

SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 21:01

Payments on account are due July. Could definitely reduce them if that's the July payment.

Why would you link a business card to an Apple ID? That's so risky.

Not helpful sorry.

mummy2boys53 · 15/06/2020 21:06

Oh my goodness nightmare!! I am going to check all of our devices now to ensure in app purchases are turned off! Pretty sure they must be as no money has been taken from my account but will be checking!
Hope you get it all sorted. X

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:07

@Noeuf I was thinking that if only £2,600 saved for tax bill it wouldn't be at the level of payments on account? Especially if there's been no work for 6-months?

Certainly HMRC will take the lack of work into account wrt pandemic. Has there not been some sort of delay in payment announced for self employed people?

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:09

Just checked. The July 2020 payment on account can be delayed until March 2021!

www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc

Roblox - money lost
SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:10

OP you've got lots of options. I know it doesn't seem like it just now but you'll be fine and you have plenty of time too.

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:11

Oops. Typo. Thank goodness I included screenshot. January 2021 not March. 🤦🏼‍♀️

lucyintheskywithcz · 15/06/2020 21:13

That's very strange that Apple won't refund. My 9 year old daughter did exactly the same last week (not that much money but a three figure sum) and they straight away refunded the lot when I called them - I had the money back in my account within 24 hours so I am confused as to why they won't refund yours

lucyintheskywithcz · 15/06/2020 21:14

And it was in an iPad too - I only noticed it because the App Store emails me when a transaction was made and I rarely look at my emails but I happened to notice one.

Browzingss · 15/06/2020 21:16

Has this happened before? As far as I’m aware, Apple are great with refunds but if someone has abused their procedures and claimed more refunds than average, they won’t entertain further claims.

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:16

I think the OP is so upset there's a few things that seem muddled. But if you were upset you would make mistakes.

A clearer head and another try tomorrow might work. When I got my refund from Apple I was initially refused but followed up and got approval for refund within 2 or 3 days.

Had to do it by email though, not phone as they needed written records.

SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 21:24

Sci-fi - £2600 could be one POA. Obviously have no insight into OP's dh and his finances/tax bill.

BrieAndChilli · 15/06/2020 21:25

If they haven’t emailed you receipts (and you have double and triple checked that email account) and you have proof then go back to Apple to say you haven’t received reciepts and if you did You would have stopped your daughter after the first transaction.

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:28

It's true Noeuf however plenty of breathing space as can be delayed until Jan 2021! That's good. Allows time to save up or plan or reassess tax bill due to the six-months not working.

OP I think the lack of notifications will be a good thing for you when you try for refund. I get an email for every single spend I make. Even 0.99p!

When you are calmer, write everything down, make a plan (lots of good advice on the thread) and let us know what happens.

Good luck.

Original poster
Sarahr22 · 15/06/2020 21:30

Thank you all. I will get some sleep and try again with a clearer head tomorrow. I appreciate all of your comments and thoughts and for you all taking the time to respond. Xx

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 21:31

SciFi true, that's helpful to find that info for op.

Op, read the article it's the same situation and March 2020. Try an email to Apple.

Jayfee · 15/06/2020 21:31

Please come back and tell us how you get on. It sounds like things will be fine. Good luck

FrostyGirl66 · 15/06/2020 21:34

This isn't much help now, but whenever my kids try to make an in-app purchase, they have to put the passcode in (which they don't know) and therefore the purchase is cancelled. Maybe set that up for the future.

SouthWestmom · 15/06/2020 21:40

This is a nightmare but it's also your husbands problem to solve. If he isn't working then he needs to get on to this by

Removing the card from the iTunes account
Setting it up to disable inapp purchases
Contacting HMRC to review tax payments.

If he hasn't worked for six months that impacts the year end 05.04.20 (c. 3 m income). So the tax for that is, I assume, being paid via payments on account jan 2020/July 2020/final 31.01.21?

So you can get the tax return in ASAP and possibly reduce them down?

SciFiScream · 15/06/2020 21:43

And make sure he checks his account regularly whether he's working or not!

Noeuf is absolutely right this is your husbands situation to resolve (his account) and as he's not working he's got time too.

RyanBergarasTeeth · 15/06/2020 21:44

This happened to someone on my Facebook last week her kid spent 2k on roblox. She contacted them and they did refund it all no questions asked however the silly woman then made a complaint because once they refund you they take away all the purchases rightly so. Silly cow thought she could get a refund and keep it all.