Excessive Dragonvale charges

Yes, there have been reports on this forum of people disputing charges and getting a refund. The cases I can recall had specific extenuating circumstances, such as an accidental purchase by a minor, or a misrepresentation of the price. If you have a case, you can take it iTunes Customer Service.

Not disputed yet but want to, my 9 year old has just ramped up a £120 bill in two hours buying virtual "gems" on this wolf in sheeps clothing of a game that advertises as 4+.

Suggest to all parents to secure this game if their kids play it, yes we've learned a lesson, yes our 9 year old has lost our trust and £47 (all his savings) from his money box, but how the **** he can ramp up a bill that big for virtual gems to play a game in amounts of £47, £27, £24, £22 and £15 over 2 hours is criminal......and the makers/providers of this game have responsibility regardless of the fact that they "state" the purchases can be locked.....!

Sleep well tonight Backflip and Apple with the amazing profits you've made........my sons not, as it will take him another 6 months to pay off his mistake and save up what he had....!!!!

the makers/providers of this game have responsibility

So why have you not yet initiated the dispute process?

See above for suggestions.

Am on to it, just warning other parents first ........!

I contacted iTunes customer services and am very pleased to say we have had a successful outcome.

Appreciate the advice......many thanks......and also to the Apple team for their assistance.....!

Good! Now, if you haven't already, get busy setting every possible restriction to prevent a recurrence:

iOS: Understanding Restrictions

Having the same problem with my 10 year old son and his iPhone. The really strange thing occurred after the first charges of almost 100 USD. I removed the credit card information in app store and two days after my card was billed for another 100 USD.

I really wonder if Apple has any control at all over the apps they offer!!!

I was notified by my credit card company that Dragonvale booked several $100 debits against my iTunes account. My son had been using the app yesterday but was unaware that he had purchased anything. The credit card has been de-activated and I've changed my iTunes password. I will get onto iTunes customer service, if the credit card company hasn't already.

Same experience here! Apple should be slapped hard for allowing an App like this to be sold.

Complete scam, but a good lesson for the kids. Beware.

Had the same thing happen to us. My 10 year old daughter ran up a bill of £358.

Followed the advice on this thread and iTunes have refunded the full amount.

Thanks for the method ed2345!!!!!

And thanks to iTunes for the promp action, it only took about 2 hours from sending the initial mail to having the full amount credited

Thanks for the method ed2345!!!!!

And thanks to iTunes for the promp action, it only took about 2 hours from sending the initial mail to having the full amount credited

Angie,

I'm glad that it helped, and glad to hear that Apple addressed the problem promptly.

Ed

Apple can take a hike. I’ve lost all faith. £1000 bill in one evening for a game my son was playing.

I have never been so fond of a company and so quickly put off in my life. What are Apple playing at allowing this to continue. Over £1000 in one evening!!! Many of the purchases were £69 each for virtual food and gems. The app and Apple iTunes allowed repeated high value purchases by my 9 year old son and his friend!!

How can Apple justify this? They had better issue a full refund. I have complained bitterly. I have had to cancel my card as iTunes wouldn't let me remove the card without entering details of another (like I am ever going to want a live credit or debit card on an iTunes account ever again!!).

Sure, my son has been seriously reprimanded, but surely a game aimed at young children shouldn't be allowed to allow this?!! It's irresponsible of Apple. My wife had no idea this could happen when she let the password slip.

I am so upset by it that even if I eventually get a full refund (it is talking Apple a long time to reply) I am planning on selling my iPhone and iPad in favour of android. Best to vote with feet I say and I am quite impressed with the latest android devices.

iTunes billing system for music et all is so out of touch now. After this abuse of trust I am sick of Apple. I have been a real fan for so long too. A great shame. But to be presented with a £1100 bill headed iTunes for gems and food was just deplorable and unforgivable.

To most of the people complaining and detesting on this thread.

Those who have disputed claims with Apple have had a high rate of success. Most in-app purchases are very clear that you are purchasing something, so it's not something that just happens "on accident." Also note that it is possible to disable in-app purchases (through Settings>General>Restrictions) so you can prevent children from spending excessive amounts of money.

Apple continues to allow apps like this to be downloaded because they have no right to dictate how you spend your money - that is your concern, not theirs. Apple has given tools to prevent children from easily spending money. As a parent, you can't always just blame other people/companies for what your children do. If you don't want your children spending your money like that, then set the restrictions. It is not Apple's fault that you have such little control over what your children do.

Moonrise4, thanks for the tuition, I think most of the people on this discussion forum are aware of that.

The fact remains that Apple should vet these games more efficiently, and a game that entices children to play I.e. dragons and gems, and the charges extortionate prices for the pleasure is in my opinion on the boundaries of immoral and along the same lines as predators in chat rooms that groom kids.......!

You are entitled to your opinion as we are ours, and my original feelings and comments still stand, regardless of the fact that we can and have put security in place to protect ourselves and our children.

Apple has a duty also rather than purely to make profit........!

Thanks for all this info. It is very helpful. But I really have to wonder why I am required to take action on "restrictions" and that the default is to let these types of apps pick my pocket until I change the phone so they cannot.