Microsoft Refunds Dad for $8k Worth of Credit Card Charges

Microtransactions are used in games to let you buy anything from new lives, energy to complete tasks and even unlocking weapons or equipment early. Some companies have suffered due to their introduction of microtransactions, and many wish to avoid charging what are often seen as additional fees for power boosts. FIFA is one game to include such transactions, as one dad find out when he received a bill totaling nearly $8,000.

December 23rd, 2015 came and Lance Perkins received his last bill for the year only to find $7, 625,88 worth of charges from the Xbox. The credit card in question was given to the son to make emergency purchases for the family’s convenience store.

“He thought it was a one-time fee for the game,” Perkins said, contacting the credit card company did little help though with the company refusing to act unless he charged his son with fraud. Still seeking help Perkins contacted Xbox looking for help removing the charges. Within minutes, the company responded saying that the bill would stand. Microsoft said they would look into the charges when Perkins informed them that his son was a minor, only 17 years of age.

Microsoft has since changed their mind, removing the charges. In a statement, Microsoft wanted to remind users that “Purchases made using a parent’s payment account are legitimate transactions under the Microsoft Services Agreement, and we encourage parents to use the many platform and service features we make available to prevent unapproved charges,”.

If you are playing a game which has microtransactions you should always play it safe and double-check bills and game accounts for transactions, authorised or otherwise.