Paying without knowing...
By sminut13
@sminut13 (1783)
Singapore
October 7, 2012 7:33pm CST
Has this happened to any of you??? Well, to explain further, I encountered this situation of coming across a huge amount of bill that I felt I didn't purchase. It was for an iphone application by the way. I noticed that some were games that my son played, but knew that he wouldn't spend money on it. So my husband and I thought someone must have hacked it and reported it.
But after some enquiries, what I was told was they were in-app purchases, meaning purchases made in a game, like for enhancements or weapons or something. And then, I began to have this bad feeling that maybe my son must have done that unknowingly, as he always plays.
What I'm really angry about is that there should have been something like a confirmation if he wanted to get something that would cost us real money. But no, it was deducted directly from the mastercard that was linked. We also had no idea there was a way to restrict it and I'm still a little confused on that.
And now it seems like we might have to pay that huge bill which is going to cut a hole in our pockets.
Anyone had any similar experiences? Did you resolve them? I would like some advice as well regarding this. Good day.
2 people like this
4 responses
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
I haven't been through anything like this and I hope I never get to experience it. It;s weird because I know usually apps ask before they go get money or payment for using them. x_x
If you've talked to the provider about this maybe they can clarify further.. or maybe something went wrong with the system? It happened to my phone once where it said I made several calls and I haven't called anyone that day! They refunded me though. I hope you get this thing fixed. :) Best of luck!
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
9 Oct 12
i hope you never experience it too. just be aware that you can restrict these things from actually happening. i only knew about it when i reported it.
i did clarify and was just told yesterday that they will refund the money but can't promise next time. so i've got to be careful now. this happened once with my sms though. a spam mail was sent from the phone to many people in my contacts with a msg that i myself didn't even understand and i hadn't even sent any. i told them about it and they said they'd get back to me but didn't. i let it go then since this didn't happen again.
but now, it's fixed, only thing is i'm going to be calling the phone provider and doing a little bit of constructive feedback:) thanks for responding.
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
at least they offered refund (as they very well should) for this situation. :D
it's weird when stuff like that happened especially when we're not actually doing anything to our fones. x_x
you're welcome and i hope you no longer have such issues in the future as they can really be such a hassle. :)
@youless (112561)
• Guangzhou, China
8 Oct 12
Yes, today some games are free. However, if you want to play it well, you need to upgrade your weapons etc. And they all charge money. It doesn't surprise me that some people buy a visual sword with real expensive money. Perhaps this is how to make these games survive. Nothing can be totally free. And I think the people who buy the visual things to upgrade themselves in the games are crazy. I can't understand it. After all, it is the game. I prefer to spend time to play it well rather than spending money to upgrade myself instantly. I don't like this shortcut.
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
9 Oct 12
i did know that money was charged but to charge $128.98 for one enhancement is just too much and that's what irked me. and it wasn't only once but a number of times.
i too prefer your method of going slow rather than spend an exhorbitant amount of money to just level up and be strong. thanks for responding.
@riyauro (6421)
• India
8 Oct 12
Oh that was bad. I have never been through anything like that. I would go mad if i did not have the money to pay the huge amount which just like popped up out of no where. 
.. I do not have an iphone and thank god i come to know it now since i am suppose to buy one in the future.. Feel sorry. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead. 
.. I do not have an iphone and thank god i come to know it now since i am suppose to buy one in the future.. Feel sorry. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead. @sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
8 Oct 12
Yes, this is one experience I wouldn't want to wish on anyone. It is such a hassle, reporting and trying to clarify and find a solution. In fact, I'm still liasing with them.
I'm glad that you're more aware about this. They have some kind of restriction that we are able to do. A pity they did not inform us about that when we bought the phone itself. Good day.
@Raine38 (12391)
• United States
8 Oct 12
I haven't experienced this, and I sure don't want to. And that is why I did not linked my credit card in my iTunes Apple Apps store. I just created an account, verified it but never put in any credit card payment. That way, if ever any of my siblings unintentionally (or even intentionally) tried to buy any games or apps, they will have no way of paying it or charging my account.
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
8 Oct 12
you did good in not linking it. i didn't really want to as well but since it was my husband's and he wanted to, we linked it. Even though we did buy games, it was all those cheap games that didn't cost more than $2. But we found out that an in-app purchase cost $128.98 and this was for only one purchase. Imagine our shock. So always be careful even when downloading free games and playing it. Don't buy anything from the game itself like weapons or powers or anything.
Good day, thanks for responding.
