An 8-year-old boy from Ontario inadvertently charged $2,000 to his grandmother's credit card while playing the popular online game Roblox. The incident underscores the potential financial pitfalls of in-game purchases, which can accumulate quickly even when games are free to download.
How the charges occurred
The boy's grandmother discovered the unauthorized transactions after reviewing her credit card statement. The charges were for Robux, the virtual currency used in Roblox to purchase items, accessories, and upgrades for avatars. The child had been playing the game without realizing the real-world cost of the in-game currency.
Consumer alert
Consumer advocate Pat Foran warns that many free-to-play games encourage microtransactions, which can lead to unexpected expenses. Parents and guardians are advised to monitor children's online activity and enable purchase restrictions on devices.
Prevention tips
- Set up password protection for in-app purchases on smartphones and tablets.
- Discuss the value of money with children and explain that virtual items cost real money.
- Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
Roblox has a refund policy, but it does not guarantee reimbursement for accidental purchases. The grandmother has contacted the credit card company to dispute the charges.
