Christmas was very nearly cancelled this month for one single mum whose son drained her bank account on a popular online gaming store.
Kayla Howard said she got a call from her bank while her seven year old son was playing Roblox.
Without her knowledge, Kayla's son had managed to rack up hundreds of pounds in charges on Google Play for Robux, the app's in-game currency—leaving her overdrawn and with no money for rent or Christmas presents.
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She has now been forced to set up a crowdfunder to make ends meet, just days before Christmas.
Kayla explained that her 7-year-old son, who is autistic, "accidentally made multiple unauthorized purchased for Robux" on Google Play without her knowledge, costing her around £740 ($897.17). She was then hit with additional overdraft fees and only given back £8.89 ($10.80) from Google Play, despite following all refund request policies.
The Arizona mother of four told local outlet 12News that she works two jobs to support her kids, and that 'the timing could not have been worse' with Christmas round the corner and rent due.
Kayla said of her son: "Sometimes as busy parents, we do overlook things. He's 7. He has autism. You know it's hard for him to recognise consequences for his actions. That's what he's working [on].
She added: "I'm trying my best not to cry, not to stress about it. I'm just trying to be as solution-focused about it as I can."
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On her Christmas crowdfunder, Kayla said: "I am a single mother of four children, working a full-time job, owning and running a small math tutoring business, and have no money left to meet myself and my children's basic needs. My bank account is currently -1244.52 as a result of the purchases and resulting overdraft fees."
Fortunately, she has now raised above and beyond what she hoped for, with 63 people donating $3090 (approx £2500), far above her original $1244 goal. So although the Internet may have played a role in causing the problem, it might just have saved Christmas too.
If you want to avoid being caught out by a nasty surprise this winter, make sure your credit card details aren't saved on any of your children's videogame accounts.
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