Good News For Parents Who Got Robbed By Your Kids On iTunes, You Can Now Get Your Money Back
Last year, Apple settled a class-action lawsuit regarding in-app purchases. Basically, parents could set security controls on their phones that required passwords for purchases, but in-app purchases didn’t require users to jump that hurdle. Can you guess what happened? Kids of all ages began racking up huge iTunes bills for their parents when they began purchasing add-ons in the applications.
Apple began sending emails last week to customers they suspect could have made unknowing in-app purchases:
We’ve heard from some customers that it was too easy for their kids to make in-app purchases. As a result, we’ve improved controls for parents so they can better manage their children’s purchases, or restrict them entirely. Additionally, we are offering refunds in certain cases.
Our records show that you made some in-app purchases, and if any of these were unauthorized purchases by a minor, you might be eligible for a refund from Apple.
If you believe you may have some of these unauthorized purchases in your past, here’s what you need to do to get a refund:
1. Go into your iTunes account and view your purchase history.
2. Use this link to submit your refund request to Apple.
3. Provide the requested information and enter ”Refund for In-App Purchases made by a minor” in the details section.
You have until April 15, 2015 to make your requests. I know I will definitely be looking. There was a time when I would let my toddler entertain himself with my phone, and frankly he figured out certain features I didn’t even know I had. I would not be surprised if there were some purchases made, because I am the worst about double checking stuff like that.
This link will give you all the information you need on the varying ways to restrict purchases from your phone – from not allowing them at all, to requiring passwords, to restricting only in-app purchases. I’ll be spending some time doing this today, and I highly recommend you do too if you have a child that ever gets his or her little hands on your phone.
(photo: Apple)
