My 7 year old made in game purchases with my Apple account. I notified Apple as soon as I saw the charges which was roughly 2-3 days after. I requested a refund through the proper steps and was only refunded for 2 of the lowest cost items and was denied the rest. Some were anywhere from $20-$60 each. He spent over $500 in 2 days. Can I escalate this issue? Who do I contact?
iPad, iPadOS 26
Heyo,
If those purchases were made from a device you've given to your child, then the first thing you should do, is turn on Ask to Buy so it doesn't happen again. See what that is here.
Approve what kids buy and download with Ask to Buy - Apple Support
This should help prevent future accidental purchases.
You should also check this page out.
Use parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Apple says all refunds are final. But also, they do review situations on a case-by-case basis. If you've taken proactive steps to prevent your child from making subsequent purchases, let Apple know, and perhaps a one-time exception can be made.
It doesn't hurt to ask. But be prepared for a denial, since that is the most likely outcome.
I wanted to give an update as I found out something that everyone should know. I called support and he advised that in a case where a refund is denied, call support. Because he found that the denied status was because the game my son charged items in was still on my device. I should have deleted the game. Which I now have done. Had I called and been told that instead of appealing the decision through the online reporting, I would have been more likely to receive the refunds. Once you get to the āthis decision is finalā stage online, no one at Apple can change that.
Hoping this helps someone else down the road. Thank you all for the replies. Have a great day!
Welcome and thank you for reaching out. š¤
Here at the Apple Support Community, we are volunteers (thoughtful Apple users) who share knowledge in an effort to help others, such as yourself.
We donāt have the power to look into accounts or offer refunds.
Unfortunately, youāve reached the final stage.
Appleās decision is final and no one can change their decision or alter the Refund policy.
According to Apple: All Transactions are final. Content prices may change at any time. If technical problems prevent or unreasonably delay delivery of Content, your exclusive and sole remedy is either replacement of the Content or refund of the price paid, as determined by Apple. From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim.
Take care! šš¼š
SmiliƱ š Brian
While I typically respect the information provided by Apple advisors, I believe in this case you may have not been told the whole store. Apple can't view the apps on your device, and you can always redownload them anyway. I don't think that would have made any difference at all. It is true that after the second appeal, the decision is final and have not seen where Apple has ever changed their mind at that point.
In reality, all transactions in the App Store are final, while at times Apple may provide a compassionate refund. Those refunds are never guaranteed. It really is up to you to prevent a purchase using one of the many methods provided if you are going to allow someone else to use your device.
Hello~ You can continue to work with Apple but refunds are never guaranteed. I suggest clicking on below and reviewing to prevent this in the futureā¦
Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support
Unfortunatelyā¦when you hand your child or anyone else for that matter you iPhone you bear the responsibility for their actions. Take care.
~Katana-San~
terrilynn128 wrote:
I wanted to give an update as I found out something that everyone should know. I called support and he advised that in a case where a refund is denied, call support. Because he found that the denied status was because the game my son charged items in was still on my device. I should have deleted the game. Which I now have done. Had I called and been told that instead of appealing the decision through the online reporting, I would have been more likely to receive the refunds. Once you get to the āthis decision is finalā stage online, no one at Apple can change that.
Hoping this helps someone else down the road. Thank you all for the replies. Have a great day!
Hello once more~ What will help you and others more than anything is not allowing access to your iPad by anyone other than yourself and/or adding a password as I advised above if you choose to do so.
Many come here with other issues like having all of their pictures deleted permanently and have no backup.
You are in charge of your iPad.
~Katana-San~
My child racked up charges
