unhackchildhood.com/topics/gaming-money · Reviewed September 24, 2026
DO THIS FIRST
Take back some control.
- 01
Check what was spent. Look at the purchase history in the game, console, or app store, and on the card or bank statement. Take screenshots.
- 02
Ask whoever billed you for a refund: the game, the console, or the app store. Move fast. Epic Games, for example, only reviews unauthorized charges less than 90 days old.
- 03
If a stranger got a password, change it and turn on two-step verification. If someone got gift card numbers, report it to the gift card company right away and keep the card and receipt.
- 04
Turn on spending controls on every console, phone, and game account. Turn purchases off, require a password, or set a dollar limit.
- 05
If betting is part of it, call 1-800-327-5050 or text “GAMB” to 800-327-5050. The Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline is free, confidential, open 24/7, and helps family members too.
FOR STUDENTS
No shame. Just the next move.
- Turn the price back into dollars before you buy. V-Bucks, Robux, Minecoins, and FC Points make it easy to lose track of real money.
- Loot boxes, packs, and spins are paid random draws. You don’t know what you’ll get. If the game shows the odds, read them, and pick your limit before you open anything.
- Sports betting and paid fantasy contests are 21+ in Massachusetts. If you spent or bet more than you meant to, tell someone early. Refunds have time limits, so early is better.
FOR PARENTS
Contain first. Debrief later.
- Start with: “Thanks for telling me. Let’s figure out what happened.” Fix the settings and ask for refunds before you decide on consequences.
- Take saved cards off shared consoles and accounts. Give your child their own profile with spending limits, or a set allowance, instead of letting them play on an adult account.
- Read the ESRB Interactive Elements line, not just the age rating. “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)” means the game sells random items, like loot boxes or packs. It does not change the age rating.
- Ask how the game gets players to spend. Watch for games that push purchases to win or to keep something bad from happening.
- Talk about betting before it shows up. Start small: “What do you think about sports betting?” State regulators warn that illegal betting sites and prediction markets target people under 21.
TRUSTED NEXT STOPS
Official help and reporting.
Reviewed September 24, 2026. External guidance changes; confirm time-sensitive steps on the linked official site.
SET IT UP