Loot Boxes Bought Without Permission: What to Do

If your child bought loot boxes without permission, your first step is to contact the payment provider or platform (Apple, Google, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, etc.) to request a refund for unauthorized purchases, then change your account password and enable purchase PIN/password requirements. After that, review the platform’s refund policy, check your bank statements for any other charges, and have a calm conversation with your child about spending limits and in-game purchases.

How Loot Box Purchases Happen

Loot boxes are virtual containers in video games that players open to receive random items—skins, characters, weapons, or currency. They are typically bought with real money via in-app purchases or with in-game currency that was itself bought with real money. On most platforms, a purchase is completed with a single click or tap after entering a password, but many systems allow a “grace period” where no password is required for a short time after the first authentication. That is often how a child buys several boxes without further confirmation.

Common scenarios include:

• A child knows the parent’s Apple ID or Google account password and uses it to buy V-Bucks, FIFA Points, or Apex Coins.
• A console is set as the “home” console, so purchases are authorized without re-entering the password.
• A saved credit card is on file, and the platform’s “remember me” setting skips verification.
• A child uses a gift card or prepaid card that was already loaded into the account.

Immediate Steps to Take

Act quickly, but don’t panic. The exact process depends on where the purchase was made, but these steps apply to most cases:

1. Check your payment method. Look at your bank or credit card statement to see the exact amount, date, and merchant name. This helps you identify all charges.
2. Request a refund from the platform. Go to the app store or console store’s purchase history page. Apple, Google, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo all have a “Report a Problem” or “Refund” option. Choose “unauthorized purchase” as the reason.
3. Change your account password. Do this immediately, and also change the password on any linked email account. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
4. Turn on purchase confirmation. On iOS, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases, and set “In-app Purchases” to “Don’t Allow.” On Android, use the Google Play app’s “Require authentication for purchases” setting. On consoles, set a PIN for purchases in the parental control menu.
5. Contact your bank or card issuer. If the platform refuses a refund, you can dispute the charge as unauthorized. Be aware that the bank may ask you to file a police report, and the game company may ban the account for chargebacks.

Refund Policies by Platform

Each platform has its own rules, and they change over time. Generally:

• Apple App Store: You can request a refund for any in-app purchase through Apple’s “Report a Problem” page. Apple typically approves refunds for unauthorized purchases, but repeated refund requests may be denied.
• Google Play: Google allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase, but for unauthorized purchases you can appeal after that window. You’ll need to explain the situation.
• PlayStation Store: Sony’s policy is generally “no refunds” for digital content once downloaded, but unauthorized purchases are handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact PlayStation Support directly.
• Xbox/Microsoft: Microsoft has a self-service refund page for digital purchases, but it’s mainly for accidental purchases, not unauthorized ones. You may need to call support.
• Steam: Steam’s refund policy covers in-game purchases only if the game itself is refunded within 14 days and under 2 hours of play. Unauthorized loot box purchases are rarely refunded.
• Nintendo: Nintendo does not offer refunds for digital purchases, but you can contact support and explain the situation. They sometimes make exceptions.

If the purchase was made inside a specific game (like Fortnite or FIFA), the game publisher may also have a refund system. For example, Epic Games allows three self-service refunds per account for accidental purchases, but this is limited and does not reset.

Preventing Future Unauthorized Purchases

After you’ve dealt with the immediate issue, set up guardrails so it doesn’t happen again:

• Require a password or PIN for every purchase. On iOS, set “Require Password” to “Always” for in-app purchases. On Android, choose “Require authentication for purchases” and select “For all purchases through Google Play on this device.”
• Use parental controls. Apple’s Screen Time, Google Family Link, PlayStation Family Management, Xbox Family Settings, and Nintendo Parental Controls all let you block or approve purchases.
• Remove saved payment methods. If your child uses your device, consider removing your credit card and using gift cards instead. You can add a card only when you make a purchase.
• Set a spending limit. Some platforms let you set a monthly spending cap. On Google Play, you can add a “spending limit” to your family payment method.
• Talk to your child. Explain that in-game purchases cost real money and that they must ask before buying anything. This is more effective than any technical control.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“My child said it was free.” Many games use “premium currency” (gems, coins, V-Bucks) that is bought with real money. A child may not realize that spending the premium currency is spending real money.

“The platform said no refund.” If the first agent denies you, ask to escalate. Mention that the purchase was made by a minor without consent. Some companies have a separate process for this. Keep records of all communication.

“I got a refund, but the items are still in the game.” The game company may remove the items or deduct the currency from the account. If they don’t, you may still see the items, but the refund is what matters.

“My bank dispute got the account banned.” This is true for many games. A chargeback signals fraud to the game company, and they often permanently ban the account. If you want to keep the account, try the platform refund first.

When to Involve Your Bank

If the platform refuses a refund and the amount is significant, you can file a chargeback with your credit card company or bank. This should be a last resort because:

• The game account will likely be banned.
• The bank may require a police report for fraud.
• The process can take weeks.

Before you do this, weigh the cost: if the account has many games or years of progress, a ban may be worse than the lost money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund for loot boxes bought by my child? Yes, in many cases. The platform’s refund policy for unauthorized purchases is your best route. Apple and Google are generally the most accommodating; console and PC stores are stricter. If the platform refuses, a bank dispute is an option, but it may lead to an account ban.

How do I stop my child from buying loot boxes? Enable purchase confirmation (password or PIN), use parental controls to block in-app purchases, remove saved payment methods, and have a conversation about spending. On iOS, Screen Time can block in-app purchases entirely. On Android, Family Link can require approval for every purchase.

What if my child used my credit card to buy loot boxes? Contact your card issuer and the platform immediately. Change your account passwords and enable purchase authentication. The card issuer may issue a new card number, which prevents further charges.

Are loot boxes gambling? Many countries are debating this. Some have classified them as gambling (e.g., Belgium and the Netherlands), while others have not. For your purposes, the key is that they cost real money and have random outcomes, so treat them like any other paid content.

My child spent $200 on loot boxes. What are my chances of a refund? It depends on the platform and how quickly you act. Apple and Google often refund unauthorized purchases regardless of amount, but they may limit the number of refunds per account. Console platforms are less predictable. Act within days, not weeks.

Can I get a refund if my child used my account but I gave them the password? This is a gray area. The platform may argue that you authorized the purchase by sharing your password. However, if your child is a minor and you can prove the purchase was not intended, you may still get a one-time refund. It’s worth trying.

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