Microtransactions are a hot topic right now in gaming, what with games like Star Wars Battlefront II catching the headlines with the inclusion of such methods, and now a woman from Cork in Ireland has found herself in a spot of trouble after her 14-year-old son accidentally spent her month's salary paying for items FIFA through in-game microtransactions.
According to indy100, she had bought FIFA 18 for her son using her debit card earlier this month, but when she tried to use the card a few days later for a withdrawal, she was told her account had insufficient funds. Her entire month's salary, plus bonus, was gone.
In an interview with PJ Coogan on Cork's 96FM, she explained: "He [her son] just didn't understand but every ten points was costing him more money. I think you need the points to move players but I am not aware of how it works."
"When purchasing the game or playing it they don't tell you that this has a cost element. He didn't have to do anything or click anything to activate my card. He never knew that when he was clicking away the money was being taken out of my account."
"Maybe there was [a lock or warning system in place] but my 14-year-old son didn't see it. He did not have to put in card details or anything as my card was already registered."
According to the woman her son has been so upset by what has happened that he hasn't left his room since the incident, blaming himself. When she contacted PlayStation shortly afterwards, they told her that because FIFA 18 is an adult's game they would not be returning her money.
Neither of them was aware that the game contained microtransactions when it was purchased, so it's worth making sure your payment details are secure and password-protected.