Minneapolis mom warns about costly smartphone apps

[AuntSueto4]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this, but I just wanted MOM to know what's possible, especially if you are unaware.

Minneapolis mom warns about costly smartphone apps
5:54 PM, Nov 22, 2011 Written by: Boua Xiong

Sheila Duddy recently got a receipt from iTunes for more than $140. That wasn't the first time.

"My credit union called me and asked what was going on," she said.

Turns out her kids were charging her credit card through a popular mobile device game called Tap Zoo. Downloading the game was free but actually playing it was not.

"In the game they encourage that you need more of these items and so it's easy and it's just two clicks away," Duddy said.

Her nine-year-old daughter spent more than $400 dollars on Tap Zoo in just days. There is a warning on the Tap Zoo's download page that states the game lets you purchase items within the game for real money. Duddy said she saw the warning but didn't think much of it.

Tap Zoo and other games, such as Farmville, are notorious for charging to play. It's all part of what's called an "in-app purchase" where you can buy extra content in the game. A password is needed to complete the transaction, but the catch is, the password can stay active on the device for at least 15 minutes. Duddy found out the hard way.

"I just assumed that with a free program that everything was free about it and I didn't know that there were programs that you'd have to make those purchases in." she said.

We tried to contact Pocket Gems, Tap Zoo's developer, for comment. They referred us to their website which states:

"We realize that this process is not perfect and there may be circumstances under which a customer could purchase an item inadvertently."

Duddy was able to get her money back after calling her bank and working with iTunes. For now, all games have been deleted from her iPhone and computers and she said they won't be back anytime soon.

Apple provides advice to prevent in-app purchases on your device on the company website.


www.kare11.com/news/article/947835/391/Minneapolis-mom-warns-about-costly-apps

[JazzyMaxie]

Jazzy's Two Cents...Smart Phones are not toys.

You will rarely see Langston get his paws on mine. He knows how to make a call on it, and that it is.

[apryllraye87]

I let DS play angry birds on my phone, for one hour, on the weekend. Sometimes I will let him play if I have to take him with me to an appointment, to the grocery store, etc. I have to monitor it closely because if I let him he would play for hours.

My iPhone has a password set and it has to be entered before ANYTHING is downloaded. It doesn't stay active so DS can't purchase anything without me knowing. He has, whether intentional or not, tried to purchase other items and gotten me locked out of my account by entering too many incorrect passwords. So I can easily see how kids can download a bunch of stuff on phones.

Thanks for the reminder!