Spending money on Habbo

shellsuit

Wordwork wrote: »

Well since it seems that they are not going to refund the money, it would be nice if they actually confirmed to me that they have closed her account so she can't spend any more. And if there is any way that she could open another account without me knowing - I can't think of one, but I'm obviously not fully on board with the dynamics of all this - it would be nice to know that too, so I can take steps to stop it. But that is probably expecting too much.

There's nothing to stop your daughter joining up again and making a new account ~ she could lie and put any details in.

The only way to stop her doing this is to not let her loose near the internet again until you can trust her.

Wordwork

shellsuit wrote: »

There's nothing to stop your daughter joining up again and making a new account ~ she could lie and put any details in.

The only way to stop her doing this is to not let her loose near the internet again until you can trust her.

Oh well, that will be never then! Unfortunately she has access to the Internet at school, so I suppose i'll have to speak to them too.

Welshwoofs

Wordwork wrote: »

And if there is any way that she could open another account without me knowing - I can't think of one, but I'm obviously not fully on board with the dynamics of all this - it would be nice to know that too, so I can take steps to stop it. But that is probably expecting too much.

Yes, she can open an account without you knowing simply by creating a new email address. There is absolutely no way for any website to permanently block someone, because the only pieces of information you have to block are email, username or IP address...all of which change. As I said before, most online games for kids involve micro-payments so unless you change her mindset, even if she never sets foot on Habbo again there's nothing to stop her doing the same thing on another game.

If your daughter is being untrustworthy on the Internet, as I said you should think about monitoring software like eBlaster for Mac. In my experience, children who are discovered doing one thing behind their parents' backs on the Internet are quite often also doing other things you wouldn't want. For instance, at that age, you'll find a good section of kids using MSN to experiment sexually.

Wordwork

Welshwoofs wrote: »

I used to, yes, so I'm trying to let you know what works and what doesn't. What doesn't work is getting aggressive with them when it is, in fact, your daughter's fault and not theirs. If you used the right contact channel (Contact Us link at bottom of page and select 'I'm a parent' option) you will get a response. Generally the first response is an auto-mail with answers to common questions and you may find that if you use junk mail filters or a free email service such as Hotmail/Gmail etc that the autoresponse gets routed straight to your junk mail folder. Their customer services work office hours and normally take 48hrs to reply. The first response will naturally be to tell you of all the checks and information which is there to tell your daughter (and you) about credit purchase and, as I've said, if you plead your case in a polite way after that you may get a partial goodwill refund. I can guarantee however that if you become angry and abusive with them over something which is not their fault, they're not going to be inclined to show goodwill.

Well I appreciate your effort, but unfortunately things don't appear to be working that well. I did contact them initially via "contact us", and did get quite a nice reply from Claire, who offered to block the mobile numbers - but said she couldn't block the landline. She told me to email her back if there was anything else she could do, but has not responded to any subsequent emails. I did explain that I was a single parent and could not afford these bills and asked if there was anything I could do to be refunded, but this was ignored. So effectively from being upset, but resigned, I've now become angry. However, I don't think any of my emails or the letter were abusive.

Welshwoofs

Wordwork wrote: »

Well I appreciate your effort, but unfortunately things don't appear to be working that well. I did contact them initially via "contact us", and did get quite a nice reply from Claire, who offered to block the mobile numbers - but said she couldn't block the landline.

The advice there is right - they have no technical ability to block a landlane, but you can block premium numbers on your end.

She told me to email her back if there was anything else she could do, but has not responded to any subsequent emails.

I buzzed a friend in Habbo UK who's said that Claire is not there this week, hence you not having a response to your latest yet. However he found the issue in her queue and is organising with the US office to get the mobiles you requested blocked on the dot com site (they'd already been blocked on the UK site). Apparently you'll get a reply today.

pulliptears

Wordwork wrote: »

Oh well, that will be never then! Unfortunately she has access to the Internet at school, so I suppose i'll have to speak to them too.

Habbo will be on the list of blocked sites in all schools so I wouldnt worry.

I apologise if this comes across as harsh, but you seem unwilling to take responsibility for this. Yes, your Daughter ran up the bills, but ultimately she is a child of 12, a minor who is your responsibility. You are being punished because you didn't check your bills.

I truly hope Habbo do come back to you and offer you something back as a goodwill gesture, but I think now you need to concentrate on dealing with your childs deceit and punishment than trying to blame others.

Wordwork

Thanks Welshwoofs for your help, much appreciated.

And pupiltears - obviously you are not reading my posts carefully enough.

Rosemary7391

£650 is an awful lot of money. I know if I'd done that, my parents would have removed all internet/computer access and I suspect I would've got a paper round to pay them back as well. Having to spend a few hours every week to pay it back may make the lesson sink in?

Wordwork

Yes, have done that: no computer, no mobile phone, no internet (except for schoolwork). And will make sure she starts paying the money back...

kutsu119

If I ran Habbo, I certainly wouldn't refund you because of your inability to monitor your deceitful child. I don't mean to sound harsh, but she could have been on Amazon with your credit card, or on QVC - any distance selling isn't going to pose a problem for someone determined to steal, like your daughter did.

Your daughter is the thief here, not Habbo. And no, I've never played nor worked nor associated with Habbo, before you ask.