Let’s talk about the things kids do. Our six-year-old was on Facebook the other day. She likes to pay a game there called Petsville. It’s simple enough. You get a little character you can design and then you lead him throughout his life on the game. You feed him. Clean him. You can also let him visit the homes of other characters (other Facebook members).
So, last Thursday evening she came to me saying, “I bought some coins in Petsville!” I chuckled to myself because I just KNEW she didn’t know how to buy anything. Later that evening I went online to check my Paypal account and got one of the shocks of my life when I saw a SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR charge from Petsville on Facebook! I almost fell out of my chair.
I immediately called Paypal to find out how I could cancel this transaction and sent Facebook and email requesting that they cancel this transaction and forward my money back to me. I say “my money” loosely. When Paypal tried to get the money from my Paypal account, nothing was there. So Paypal tried to get the six hundred dollars from my bank account. I was glad they were doing this because I knew I didn’t have overdraft protection. So the transaction would bounce and would cancel the purchase.
Much to my surprise (again) the bank PAI D Paypal! I couldn’t believe this. I had phoned my bank the night before to make sure I did not have overdraft protection. They reassured me I did not have it. When I asked them why they paid, I was told that they paid as a “courtesy” to me for being such a good customer. Courtesy to me? Their courtesy cost me $600 for some game coins. It’s not even tangible. The coins are used in the game to buy the game character things like cars, furniture and clothing.
I filed a dispute with Paypal and I was denied. My request to Facebook was met with a denial. Facebook said they will not refund my money. All the bank says I can do is to file a claim for revocation of purchase. They say the fact that I immediately requested that the transaction be canceled might help me to get this corrected.
I am under time constraints. I’m on a fixed income and if this is not cleared up before the first of the month my income check (which comes by direct deposit) will be taken to pay the money I now owe the bank. On top of that, the bank if charging me thirty-five dollars every five business days if the overdrawn amount isn’t paid.
So, the moral of this story is to NEVER underestimate the intelligence of a child and keep your online services locked and unable to be accessed by your children. They can make an honest mistake which can end up costing you six hundred dollars (like me) or more.
