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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.
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123 thoughts onFortnite Class Action Says Kid Spent $1,000+ In Game
My kids did the same I was wondering why I was coming up short each month and finally I started having. the bank to send me my statement wouldn’t you know I couldn’t get a response from them or Google lm heated.
My grandson kids plays it most of the time
Add me.
My child has purchased thousands on that damn game. Add me please
Add me.
Add me
please add me cause my children are obsesses with this game and its expensive. also the game is very addictive I must monitor them or they will stay up all night to play.please add me
Add my name please! My 11yr old son did the same thing. I also was told no refund was available. My son thought he was spending “vbucks” and not my real money. Game makers/Sony count on and prey upon the ignorance of kids and should be made to pay for both actual damages AND punitive damages. Shame on them!
A friend told me the same happened with her son. But she said Sony WOULD refund the money, only they would have to wipe the Sony account which would erase the game data for all the users in their family. Is that correct info? That seems intimidating if true.
My teenager minor has used our debit cards to purchase these extra features to play the Fortnite game. If any dollar amounts were charged, we parents should at least be able to get a form to deduct these expenses on our taxes. Or we should just get a refund for these unauthorized purchases made by a minor. Add me to the list.
Add me please. Over 1500 in fortnite purchases
ADD ME!! $1200 in Fortnight, and Roblox and damn Apex!!!
The charged my credit card and they were not authorized to do so