Fortnite Class Action Says Kid Spent $1,000+ In Game

A mother has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment over claims that her child made more than $1,000 in in-game purchases while playing Fortnite.

Brandi Crawford says the game and how it is played through the Sony PlayStation encourages young players to make in-app purchases.

Allegedly, the game does not warn parents of minor players that these purchases can be made.

Crawford says her son began to play Fortnite on his PlayStation 4 in 2019. Allegedly, her son, known by the initials CRB, made in-game purchases worth more than $1,000. Crawford argues that this occurred because Sony allows minor players to make purchases without their parents’ knowledge or permission.

The Fortnite in-game purchases class action lawsuit argues that to play Fortnite CRB had to make an account with the PlayStation Network. This account reportedly made it so that he could buy and download digital content, including games. He then allegedly needed to link a debit card to the account, for which he used his mother’s debit card.

As part of signing up for a PlayStation Network account, users reportedly have to register an online account and agree with the Terms of Service and User Agreement. Allegedly, these terms of service require a user to agree that they are either not a minor or, if they are a minor, are making the account with their guardian’s consent. 

However, Crawford argues that these requirements are not effective in preventing children from making accounts. She says that many children make PlayStation Network accounts without their parents’ permission. In addition to making accounts, many children reportedly make in-game purchases without their parents’ permission. 

The Fortnite class action claims that in-game purchases include “skins” that change the appearance of a player’s in-game character and a Battle Pass that gives a player access to rewards not available for free. According to Crawford, the maker of Fortnite, Epic Games, allows children to make purchases for these virtual items without receiving the authorization from their parents. 

The Fortnite purchases class action lawsuit says that CBR made purchases of more than $1,000 worth of V-bucks, which are used in the game to make purchases of “skins” and Battle Passes.

Crawford says that she sought a refund of the purchases after she learned of her son’s unauthorized micro-transactions. However, the User Agreement that CRB signed reportedly says that all transactions are non-refundable, even if they are made by a minor.

The Fortnite class action argues that these purchases are voidable under California law, despite the terms of Sony’s agreements. Crawford asserts that she and other parents have suffered economic injury because of Sony’s allegedly unlawful refusal to refund purchases made by minors. 

This is not the first time that parents have taken issue with Fortnite’s in-game purchases. Two other class action lawsuits have made claims similar to Crawford’s.

Has your child made unauthorized Fortnite in-game purchases? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Crawford is represented by Keith Altman of Excolo Law PLLC.

The Fortnite In-Game Purchases Class Action Lawsuit is Crawford v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Case No. 3:20-cv-01732-LB, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:

Verizon Class Action Claims iPhone Promo Scam

Another Monsanto Roundup Lawsuit Nears Trial

Supreme Court Dismisses N.L. Mining Lawsuit Appeal

New Jersey Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Survivor Accuses Former Chem Teacher