Parents’ guide to handling unauthorized online purchases

It sounds funny until it happens to you. So, what do you do? Can you dispute the purchase? Is there a way to prevent it from happening? Luckily for you, we’ve scoured the internet and pulled together everything you need to know.

  By Manar – Reading time: 8 min.

 

1. What does unauthorized purchase mean?
2. How to report a purchase made by your child 
3. Can you get a refund for a Roblox purchase?
4. How to prevent future unauthorized purchases

Unauthorized purchase meaning

In general, an “unauthorized purchase” refers to any financial transaction, either from a credit or debit card, that you didn’t make or approve. Say if a stranger steals your card details and buys something, that’s a clear-cut case of fraud, and your bank or credit card company will usually refund you once you report it.

But here’s where things get tricky: What if it’s your child? Does it count as an “unauthorized purchase?” Technically, it happened without your permission, but if your card was already saved to the account or device, the purchase might not count as “unauthorized” in the same way.

This gray area can be frustrating for parents. The good news? Many platforms, like Amazon and the App Store, now have specific policies for accidental or mistaken purchases, especially when kids are involved.

How to report a purchase made by your child

If you notice a charge you didn’t approve, it’s important to act quickly. While disputing the charge with your bank or card provider is an option, you’ll often have better luck going directly through the platform where the purchase was made. Many companies have refund processes designed for accidental purchases, especially if they are made by a child. (We’ve done our homework, but refund rules change often. So, it’s always a good idea to check the company’s site before you start.)

Report a purchase on Amazon

If the item hasn’t shipped yet:

1. Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to Returns & Orders
2. Find the order you wish to cancel
3. Select the option to Cancel your order
4. Pick a reason for the cancellation and confirm
5. Once the cancellation is complete, a refund will be issued to the original payment method

If the item has already shipped:

1. Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to Returns & Orders
2. Find the item and click the Return Items button
3. Select Unauthorized Purchase as a reason for the return and click Continue
4. Amazon will issue a refund after processing the return

If it doesn’t show as refundable, contact Amazon Customer Service and explain that it was an accidental child purchase.

Report a purchase on the App Store

Apple makes it fairly simple to request a refund for accidental purchases, especially if it’s a first-time refund request.

1. Go to apple.com and select Support
2. Scroll down and select Billing and Subscriptions
3. Click on Start a refund request and sign in to your Apple account
4. Select the purchase you want refunded
5. Pick a reason (for example, “accidental purchase by a child”)
6. Submit your request and wait for Apple’s response

Report a purchase on the PlayStation Store

The PlayStation Store allows for refunds as long as it’s within 14 days of purchase and the content hasn’t been streamed or downloaded. To request a refund on the PlayStation Store, follow these steps:

1. Go to playstation.com and sign in to your PlayStation account
2. Select Support in the upper left corner of the screen
3. Choose PS Store & Refunds, then select Refunds
4. Click on the plus sign next to How to request a refund on a PlayStation Store purchase and open your Transaction History
5. Select the purchase you want refunded and follow the on-screen instructions to connect with the refund chatbot
6. The chatbot will collect details about your order, and if eligible, you’ll be transferred to a live agent to process the refund

Can you get a refund for a Roblox purchase?

Roblox is a little different from the previous platforms in that it doesn’t typically issue cash refunds for purchases. Once their in-game currency, called Robux, is spent, those transactions are usually considered final.

That said, you can still contact Roblox Support and explain that the purchase was made by your child without permission. In some cases, especially if it’s your first request, they may offer credits back in Robux. Just don’t expect money to be returned to your debit or credit card.

How to prevent future unauthorized purchases

The best way to deal with surprise charges? Stop them before they happen. Although refunds are sometimes possible, they are not always guaranteed, and disputing charges can be stressful. Luckily, there is a way to help prevent accidental buys: Set up parental controls.

Many platforms allow you to easily set up controls that prevent your kid from purchasing without your permission. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it for:

Amazon

1. Start by opening the Amazon app or website. Select Account → Your Account → Manage Your Content and Devices
2. Go to Preferences and turn off 1-Click Purchases
3. Under Digital Purchases, enable the option to require your Amazon password for every purchase.

Apple

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time
2. If it’s your first time, tap Turn On Screen Time and set yourself as the parent
3. Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases
4. Set Require Password to “Always Require”

Google Play

1. Open the Google Play Store app
2. Tap your profile icon → Settings
3. Select Authentication → Require authentication for purchases
4. Choose For all purchases through Google Play on this device
5. If your child uses their own device, set up Google Family Link to manage app downloads and in-app purchases

PlayStation

1. Log in to your account at playstation.com
2. Go to Family Management and create a Child Account
3. Set a monthly spending limit (you can make it $0 if you want)
4. On the console, go to Settings → Parental Controls/Family Management to set restrictions

Xbox

1. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/family
2. Add your child to your Microsoft Family Group
3. Set spending limits or require approval for purchases in the Family Settings
4. On the console, go to Settings → Account → Family Settings → Manage Family Members to apply restrictions

Roblox

You can’t directly block spending on Roblox, but restricting the account and not linking a payment method helps minimize risks. To do so:

1. Log in to your child’s account and go to Settings (gear icon)
2. Under Parental Controls, create a PIN
3. Turn on Account Restrictions to prevent access to certain features and restrict chat 

Fortnite

1. Go to epicgames.com/account and log in
2. Select Parental Controls from the left menu
3. Set a six-digit PIN, which will be required to change settings or authorize purchases (You can also disable voice chat, set playtime limits, and filter content)

Whether it’s a mountain of lollipops or a pile of in-game skins, accidental purchases can be stressful. The good news is that most platforms offer some form of refund or credit, and with the right parental controls in place, you can stop it from happening again. A few minutes of setup today can save you a lot of money (and headaches) tomorrow.

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Images: 1&1/GettyImages
 

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