Farmville Leads to Thousands in Credit Card Debt
A 12-year-old boy in the United Kingdom ran up $1,400 in credit card debt while playing the popular Facebook game Farmville.
While logged onto Facebook, the boy had access to his mother’s credit card, and made numerous purchases without her knowledge, reports British paper The Guardian.
In the game Farmville, users can build up a virtual farm, complete with digital crops and livestock. The purchases allowed the boy to build up his farm faster than he would have otherwise.
His mother, who declined to be identified, didn’t know about the purchases. When she found out, she had her credit card canceled, but bills are still rolling in from the charges.
Neither the woman’s bank, nor the gaming company will refund her money, the Guardian reported. Because the charges were made in her home and are not gambling related, she is responsible for the bills. Police said she could report her son for identity theft and stealing a credit card, and may then be reimbursed, but the woman has no plans to do so. Nor did she mention filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy to clear the debt.
While the credit card has been closed, the boy may have other avenues to keep spending down on the farm. Farmville also allows players to make purchases with their mobile phones, sending the charges to the phone bill.
So let the farmer beware: Facebook and online games can be fun diversions, but be on the look out for hidden costs.
Also, let this be another reminder that, regardless of the circumstances, you are typically responsible for all the purchases you make on your credit card, even in unusual circumstances.