Inadvertent $1500 in app purchase Tap Zoo - warning!

holy cow. you must really enjoy when other people suffer.

apple is supporting this company, moreover, promoting them on their twitter feed. even w/this much controversy, no changes have been made. so, yes. i blame apple. and unless you also get a cut from apps, not sure why you care so much.

there are currently 18 pages on this thread. taking out the comments by winning people such as yourself, that's still quite a few people who had the exact same thing happen to them. complaints dating back at least two years ago. so obviously, this is not simply bad parenting (although you seem to prefer that explanation).

its a predatory system, which children being the target. because they're children. you clearly think that's a-ok, but the majority of the people on this thread, and further areas online, don't. so if you don't have anything constructive to add, why do you feel the need to respond? i'd rather keep my notifications on in case someone else joins in w/solutions, or asks me a question. so don't bother to respond w/more of your stellar comments.

traefromon wrote:

holy cow. you must really enjoy when other people suffer.

its a predatory system, which children being the target. because they're children. you clearly think that's a-ok, but the majority of the people on this thread, and further areas online, don't. so if you don't have anything constructive to add, why do you feel the need to respond? i'd rather keep my notifications on in case someone else joins in w/solutions, or asks me a question. so don't bother to respond w/more of your stellar comments.

No, you are the target, the children are the vector to get your money, take precautions!

Hi,

After the short "googling" on this shameless and basically illegal apple's activity of draining parent's accounts through their children I found the following link to already existing legal actions against apple. Please consider further actions in correspondence with already existing case. The practice of "expensive free games", implemented by apple should be stopped completely and it is our responsibility to protect our children and our walets. There will always be loopholes in the legal systems and we as consumers should make all efforts for protecting ourselves from companies like apple which are very good in finding theses loopholes. I would recommend everybody to make this a big issue and tell about this matter to as many people as you can.

Let the world know and decide!

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/04/apple-facing-class-action-lawsuit-over -kids-in-app-purchases.ars

http://ia600603.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.cand.239431/gov.uscourts.can d.239431.1.0.pdf

Legal action? Really? If you'd read the terms and conditions you agreed to upon downloading the application, you'd see that it mentions in app purchases. Also, there is a way to restrict in app purchases. It's all too easy to blame Apple, or the app developer, but really parents need to take responsibility to what's going on and step up.

Here's the text from a post I made back in November on this same thread:

Last night I downloaded a game called "Snoopy's Street Fair." (Yes, I am an adult, but I like Peanuts and this game is very fun.) Here's what it says in the app description section:

"PLEASE NOTE: Snoopy’s Street Fair is free to play, but charges real money for additional in-app content. You may lock out the ability to purchase in-app content by adjusting your device’s settings."

It also says this:

"ADDITIONAL NOTES:

iOS will keep you logged on for 15 minutes after an initial in-app purchase. Additional purchases won’t require a re-entry of the password during this 15 minute interval. This is a function of the iOS software and not within our control."

So, parents need to read the manual and adjust settings accordingly. Don't gripe about something that is entirely in your control. Apple is not "preying on" or "taking advantage" of anyone.

Really? Let me guess: when you had to agree to the terms and conditions, you just hit "Agree" without actually READING them, right? Apple has no way of knowing who is purchasing the in-app purchase, all they know is that it was made on YOUR account.

In fact, it even asks you to confirm: "Are you sure you want to buy 'zzz' for $0.99?"

I mean, this is like going to the grocery store, and then your kid throws a box of cookies in the cart without you noticing, you pay for it, and then later on you take legal action against the store.

I am recently victimized by this in App purchases, I never expected this to happen since I have no idea about this, of which I am punishing myself now for not caring to know more. But I think Apple should also understand and admit that by allowing this to happen and no matter how we say that as parents it's our responsibilty, charging this much on a children's game is too much and really ridiculous. Why do they really have to make it so complicated and make it as such that it ends up being blamed to the user and in this situation to the parents by letting our children enjoy the wonders of these amazing games not knowing that eventually will just ruin our wallets. Charging an App for free to download and then making you pay hundreds of dollars for in App, and mostly appears on children's games doesn't sound fishy to you? Why don't they just charge you upfront for the Apps and let you play for what you pay for? But they just won't do the right thing, they like being tricky and greedy.

That is the way the developer set up their app. You are more than welcome to play their game for free. But if you want some added features or extra coins or whatever the game offers, THEN you can pay. So that is why they list it as free: because you can play the game, and extra features are optional.

The prices are not up to Apple. The developer can charge however much they want for in-app purchases or the game itself.

Hi Canamuk and other posters,

My name is Spencer Ante.I am an editor at the Wall Street Journal.

If you would like to discuss your situation with me I would welcome it.

I think you make some good suggestions for how to deal with this problem.

best regards,

Spencer

<Email Edited by Host>

well, evidently itunes/apple are not only aware of this issue, but do believe there's something wack about the whole process.

why do i believe this? because they have graciously agreed to refund all $1,187 of it. no huge hoop jumping, just two emails, and boom.

so, i hope anyone else who has run into this and hasn't tried for a refund, will now contact itunes.

good luck!

I read this entire thread tonight, in an effort to educate myself on the inapp purchase phenomenon. I didn't even know they existed until recently. I guess the apps I buy on my iphone/ipad/mac are not the ones that profit from selling $100 buckets of fake coins.

That said, I got that ominous, large, ITunes emailed invoice yesterday, 5 of them in a row. I discovered my son (12) was playing Brothers in Arms on his phone. This is a game we know about and allow him to play. As I read through all the pages of this thread I pulled up the app purchase page for Brothers In Arms. Unless I am blinded by the time of the morning, there is no statement anywhere warning about the possibility of inapp purchases. I have played the game the last hour or so to try to figure out how one gets to that point. The order page does have a list, in much smaller letters, down toward the bottom, of the top in app purchases. But no warning like mentioned in posts above.

With all that said, we probably won't try too hard to get a refund even though I think value for money is sadly lacking in such a situation. But...I didn't have the restrictions enabled so that is my bad. I did know they existed.

I have a fairly bright kid who didn't want to spend his hard earned $150 on fake coins. After some thought, he figured out that is what he was doing. But in that moment, with that app blinking at you (or whatever it does) it is a bit much to expect a 12 year old to stop in his tracks.

The app charged to my credit card but his hard earned cash came out of my very sad kid's little wallet. Lesson learned for him but still very sad for apple and a developer who sells a clearly overpriced product.

yes...people buy overpriced cars and expensive clothes and overpriced is in the eye of the beholder but you could get a lot of folks to see the value in a Ferrari. I expect no one sees the value in a $100 bucket of virtual medals that vanish in mere minutes.

Other parents, don't beat yourselves up. It is pretty silly to have someone say that giving a child an electronic device to play means you will watch what they do the entire time...please. At the risk of outing myself here, that's why I give the kid the device, so I can do something else for a bit. If I'm the only one to admit that I'll be shocked.

But I do agree on the restrictions, mea culpa there and they are set firmly now. Just sad that we need them, that's all.

My son also made an in app purchase when i had my android tablet, one of the reasons i changed it for an ipad, in the android i couldnt even set a password, my only solution was to remove my google account from the devise. Anyway he spent 100 dollars on the smurfs app. now with the ipad we havent had any issues, i havent dissabled in app purchases because i sometimes use it, i do wish apple would change it so we had to input our password if any purchases are to b made even if concecutive purchases are being made. Not long ago i was downloading free big fish games to try out and inadvertedly purchased a 6.99 game, before i realized it wasnt free it was already being installed. I was in a rush, leaving for the long weekend so i was clicking away and my finger pressed before my brain could process that it said 6.99 lol

I personaly cant blame apple for the developers setting such ridiculous prices, a full, complete, no-restriction game shoulnt cost more than 20 dollars. I cant imagine spending a 100 to buy little virtual houses and decor, even the sims expantion packs are not that expensive.

Anyway im a little sad to see some people here talking like they are the perfect parent or looking down at parents for letting their kids play unsupervised, my son is 2.5, he learned to unlock and play on my iphone before he could talk or walk, he has been using tablets since he was 1.5, this devices have awesome learning applications and if a game is made specificaly for kids why should we have to monitor every click, there are no small parts he can put in his mouth and the only button is the home button, so in my opinion its safer than most toys. In an ideal world everytime you buy something you would read the instructions including the fine print but, guess what, in this thread alone there are more people complaining about the issue because it has happened to them, and maybe 2-3 pointing fingers at the careless parents, so right there it shows that most apple users dont read the user guide. And this is just one of countless threads on this subject

My point is that apple should listen to the masses and disable in app purchases from the get go, then let the ones that do purchases inable it on their own, im sorry but we are the minority it seems. And set the password for ANY purchase, a little extra security never hurt anybody.

i've not been caught out personally, partly due to luck and also info from this nd other forums.

not everyone subscribes to forums, just a i don't take part in facebookor or twitter, deep down we like to trust others, especially regarding behaviour towards vulnerable youngsters.

while adults might well play these games, and i feel it is their right to have adhoc in App purchasses, when it goes wrong we expect good behaviour from quality firms.. While Apple don't write these aps, they are the only conduit for apps on non jailbroken iphones and ipad's.

Apple are rightly associated with very high quality product, and by default expected to have high standards and with it morals. i fail to see having attained that position they risk damaging this what is a fairly volotile regard.

Apple might claim the cost of these devices place them firmly in the adult market, and having he need of a credit card to make purchsses also indicates the age is 18 plus. This problem has been long running, once Pple were aware there is no further defence of ignorance, they could perhaps even stand accussed of knowingly aiding and abetting fraud/theft being so fully aware.

it would take such a little step to stop all if not most of it by allowing owners to set a weekly limit or no further transaction without a password in their accounts settings.

i don't subscribe to 'it's the perarants fault' brigade, we have the right to trust in Apple, had we bought a device from a dodgy market stall that would be different. A modern LED Tv is an expensive item yet kids are allowed to operate it by most perants, to order a pay per view it needs my password every time - simple's and effective is it not?.

I had over $2800 in inadvertent in-app purchases back in November/December of 2011. The resolution should be easy enough through the Apple Support site (by going into your own account on the itunes store and clicking on the purchase to "report a problem"). I've read of many people getting refunds if they go through sending a request for refund for each and every purchase.

I took a different route since I wasn't getting the desired response from Apple -- they definitely pushed back on it and told me how to disable in-app purchases to avoid future mishaps, but weren't indicating that they would be willing to refund the money.

When I didn't get the immediate refund I had hoped for, I contacted my credit card company and disputed the charges -- I did tell the credit card co. that they were from my son gaining access to my account without my permission and making the purchases without my knowledge.

They did what is called a "charge back"; and credited my account while taking the money back from Apple. Once I initiated this, Apple would only work with my credit card company, and after some time, Apple agreed that I did not have to pay for these charges.

I did get a full refund. It was resolved within a 45-day time period....and the money was credited back immediately from the time of my phone call to my credit card co. The credit card company investigator told me that I can always request a refund and should be issued a refund from Apple for the simple reason of being "dissatisfied with my purchase"... either that the value of it wasn't worth it or I didn't like the app or the in-app purchases and found it lacking in entertainment value. That alone is reason enough to want and get a refund!

I would suggest that you take the time to enter each charge and tell Apple that they were "unwanted purchases" and you would like a refund -- do this via the support website.

I've heard more and more cases are now being resolved in this manner.

If you can't get anywhere -- then call your credit card company and complain -- the major credit card companies have some awareness of the issue and have been working with iTunes and the various apps that offer the option of in-app purchases targeted at young children.

I've heard things like, Class Action Lawsuit bantered around -- in other words, you absolutely positively should get your money back, and if you're persistent enough about it, you will be successful.

I went so far as to contact Pocket Gems, Inc., the makers of Tap Zoo and other apps where the charges were racked up by my son. Pocket Gems support agreed to work with Apple to issue a refund -- but since I'd already begun to work with my credit card company, Apple didn't even want to talk with me any more!

Don't give up -- you'll get the refund eventually!

Wow...I feel much better now! : )

My nephew was playing "My Town 2" on my iPhone this morning and managed to purchase $175 worth of "coins" and "bucks"!!

I didn't even know until my credit card company called me to ask about possible fraudulent purchases on my VISA card.

I logged on to my VISA account and noticed all the charges. I freaked out and instantly knew it was my nephew (since I did log him into my account to make a one-time $1.99 purchase...yes..I know..MY fault!!).

Apple, though, was very quick to reply to my email and I'm being refunded the entire amount. I spoke with someone from Apple about the issue (on the phone...I called the Apple Store in a panic) and he admitted that in-app purchases are a big problem right now.

A person really shouldn't be allowed to make so many purchases in a row without being prompted for the password at some point?

Still, I'm impressed that Apple was so easy to deal with.