Why on earth any parent would give their child a credit card is beyond me. Have they not read the freak stuff that can happen? I mean, just last year, an 11 year old clocked up an eye watering R55 000 bill on in-app purchases through Google Play. Now, the very same thing has happened – a child has spent an even more gut-wrenching $7,625.88 (R88 307.69 based on the exchange rate at time of writing) on his Xbox One, on Fifa Microtransactions.
But wait, let me not get ahead of myself. Perhaps there is some perfectly sound reason for this exuberant amount being spent behind a parent’s back. Did the child steal the credit card? Was it perhaps linked to the account, and money was unknowingly being spent? let’s take a closer look at the tale (Destructoid via CBC):
On Dec. 23, Lance Perkins got a credit card bill for $7,625.88 after his 17-year-old son used his credit card to make in-game purchases for one of the FIFA series of soccer games. “It floored me. Literally floored me, when I’d seen what I was being charged,” Perkins told CBC News. Perkins said he had given his son a credit card for emergencies or to make purchases for the family’s convenience store. Although his son confessed he had been using the card illicitly, Perkins said his son, too, was truly shocked at how much he had spent.
No. Ways. First of all, this isn’t even a young child – it’s a 17 year old teenager! Secondly, again, what the hell would possess a parent to give their child a credit card? I can understand that perhaps in case of an emergency, it makes sense, but then surely, surely, you set up a notification system or something to keep an eye on the balance to make sure everything is in order. Lastly, I can’t honestly believe that the son is shocked at how much he spent. Come on, he must have had some sort of idea each time he confirmed a transaction?
Microsoft declined a request for an interview from CBC. They did release a statement however, saying that parents are encouraged to make use of the many features and such which exist to prevent such unapproved charges from taking place in the first place.
As for the Perkins household, the father, Lance, has the perfect solution. “There will never be another Xbox system — or any gaming system — in my home”, he said. I can only hope he realises that cellular devices are probably even more open to in-game purchases. If I were him, I’d take away the son’s phone too, you know, just to be extra safe.
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Last Updated: January 12, 2016
VampyreSquirrel
January 12, 2016 at 15:34
Some people are so stupid… it’s funny.
SargonTheRebornBatpanda
January 12, 2016 at 15:35
How much do 17 year old kids sell for these days? I’m sure EA accepts slave labour as payment. They are, of course, the company most likely run by the Devil. It is only logical.
But in all seriousness. I’d sell the kid. That shit has GOT TO GO.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:36
I’m with you here!
Lord Chaos
January 12, 2016 at 15:47
How dare you insinuate I run EA?
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:34
Indeed, you don’t seem like some who’d be called Satan
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:48
It’s clearly defective.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:50
You’re defective!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:51
Your FACE is defective.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:51
At least it’s ONLY my face!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:52
That’s only a small mercy from your point of view.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:53
Better than all of me being defective, Mr Defective!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:55
We hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but we need to tell you something. You might want to sit down.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:55
I suppose you’re old enough…
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:58
Oh god no, if that were the case I’d have drowned you at birth. Laws are much stricter now. 🙁
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 16:01
i winz!
Lord Chaos
January 12, 2016 at 15:52
Any place the ginger grows is defective
VampyreSquirrel
January 12, 2016 at 15:51
Teenager for sale, age 17, slightly used, Xbox one included… only $7,700
Fanandala
January 12, 2016 at 22:50
He may be useful for medical experiments.
I can understand that you give a 17 year old a credit card for the reasons the father mentions, but surely you would put a low limit on it.
The Father seems to have even less brains than the kid.
Marc O Polo
January 13, 2016 at 13:55
Ea is most definitely not run by the devil… There games are way to pansy for that to be true!!!
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:35
HAHAHAHA!
SargonTheRebornBatpanda
January 12, 2016 at 15:36
I wonder….
Rince.. do you work for EA? 🙂 You take far too much satisfaction out of these types of articles. 😀
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:38
I… I… Don’t ‘chaching’ know what you mean!
Phasmatis75
January 12, 2016 at 15:37
Agreed, there is no way he didn’t know how much he was spending. I feel the burn when I spend 5 dollars for some Mr. Handy’s in Fallout Shelter (I’m a horrible person I know), there is no way he didn’t know he spent over 7k.
Also obligatory comment about how people like him are what is killing the industry.
SargonTheRebornBatpanda
January 12, 2016 at 15:37
OMFG YOU HAVE A MR HANDY! YOU FKN BASTARDO! HOW COOL ARE THEY?! AM I MISSING OUT ON THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF?!
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:40
And here was me, thinking a Mr Handy is what we would refer to in reference of my sex life.
Original Heretic
January 12, 2016 at 15:50
Her name is Mrs Palm. She has five daughters and they’re all lovely.
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 16:04
I am manly all over!!!!
Phasmatis75
January 12, 2016 at 16:24
They collect stuff on levels, kill enemies, best defenders you can get, and can be repaired when they’re wrecked, aside from that they’re okay.
Ottokie
January 12, 2016 at 15:42
Who gives a credit card without an overdraft limit to some 17 year old teenager…
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:33
A Dumbass
Lardus-For the Emperor!
January 12, 2016 at 15:42
Perhaps there are notification set up on the card for amounts larger than say $10? My one card only notifies me of transactions over R100, so if someone were to make many transactions of R99 or less, I would not be notified. Still, giving a kid/teenager a card for emergencies…that would need to be a small limit to avoid things like this. Can you imagine racking up that kind of bill? Wow.
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:42
I think the key here is Teenager. They are not known for their mostly sensible life choices, you know?
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:33
At 17 most people are kinda sensible
Milesh Bhana
January 13, 2016 at 07:56
this is true. I went overseas with some family, parents wanted me to go with. Got some spending cash and a credit card for emergencies and an item my mom wanted me to get. I used it only for that item.
HouwGobz
January 12, 2016 at 15:43
Giving a teenager a credit card, that’s always going to go brilliantly. Microtransactions aside, how much was spent on hookers and blow is the real question. The public need to know!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 15:44
And Liverpool still couldn’t win.
miaau
January 12, 2016 at 15:44
Interesting how the parent seemingly is helping the son dodge responsibility for this, by implying that it is the system that is at fault. If the figure was MUCH lower, then yes, perhaps.
Responsibility. Take it. Own it. Make it yours. The end.
Ottokie
January 12, 2016 at 15:46
Lets see what the instant IQ meter has to say about this father and son.
http://i.imgur.com/mUePQ.gif
Mistake Not...
January 12, 2016 at 15:48
Should we blame the kid? Since intelligence (or lack thereof) is often passed from parent to child.
Screw it, blame them both. No excuse for a lack of common sense.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 15:51
haha
Fanandala
January 12, 2016 at 22:55
brilliant.
Mistake Not...
January 12, 2016 at 15:46
Sure, give him a card, but his own bank account with like maybe R1000 max. Can’t be surprised if you give him access to the family account.
oVg
January 12, 2016 at 15:47
🙂
VampyreSquirrel
January 12, 2016 at 15:49
Creepy
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:33
LOL
James Anderton
January 12, 2016 at 15:48
Stupidity seems to be a family trait. Who knew.
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:48
The real shocker is that there are $7000+ worth of Microtransactions in one game…
Mistake Not...
January 12, 2016 at 15:49
It’s EA
Ottokie
January 12, 2016 at 15:49
http://1jux.net/scale_images/209637_b.jpg
ElimiNathan
January 12, 2016 at 15:53
That Oculus Rift not looking so expensive now is it
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:33
http://i.memeful.com/media/post/GMEneR7_700wa_0.gif
konfab
January 12, 2016 at 16:34
This guy made a donation to EA to ensure Mass Effect Andromeda is going to be good.
Why the hate?
:3
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2016 at 16:34
LOL
Jack
January 12, 2016 at 16:42
Guys you all have it all wrong(exchange rate) they are talking about Canadian Dollars not US dollars CBC is the Canadian BBC
hairyknees
January 13, 2016 at 07:20
Thank you! Completely overlooked that… updated and fixed now 🙂
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 12, 2016 at 19:32
Hahahahahahaah! This kid is a legend, and his parents have now learnt a valuable level. Don’t leave little Timmy alone with the credit card or with a credit-card enabled console.