Mobile Phone Micropayments

mjan

http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Membership_subscription

According to their website, the only ways to make phone payments is either by calling a number or via SMS.

I don't believe you can get charged on your phone bill just by having your son giving your phone number. He must have used your phone and I would be having words if it was my child.

Good luck getting your money back anyway.

MamaMoo_2

http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Runecoins

http://services.runescape.com/m=news/newsitem.ws?id=2931

http://services.runescape.com/m=news/new-feature-for-sms-payments-in-the-uk

http://forums.zybez.net/topic/1250451-pay-by-sms-process/

DevCoder

You should passcode the SIM as well else he can just put the SIM in another phone and carry on agreeing to txt purchases

bod1467

Or ... just not let him use YOUR phone?

salen40

Thank you to everyone for some great feedback! The links to the runescape site are very useful and I will be checking whether he is signed in to a monthly subscription.

Although my son has use of this phone the bottom line is that he has no authority to incur charges (thank you Young Solicitor) and still has no authority. I am not even sure at age 13 (going on 30) whether he is too young to be accessing this and paying? I am not sure whether there are age restrictions for buying these coins.

Thanks!

MamaMoo_2

Presumably, he has agreed to these T&C's when he signed up. Unfortunately, it's likely that by doing this, he's effectively absolved the companies of any liability

http://www.boku.com/terms/

http://www.jagex.com/g=runescape/terms/terms.ws#underage_users

Unfortunately, his lack of authority is not the companies' problem, it is, I believe, a civil matter between you and your son to work out between yourselves.

bod1467

salen40 wrote: »

Although my son has use of this phone

Not any longer I hope! And no pocket money either until the debt is repaid (to you).

salen40

Looking at the legal link you supplied to Jagex and Boku it looks highly unlikely that I will get any kind of refund.

Thank you for all useful suggestions.

I guess he won't be getting the new Kindle Fire HD for his Birthday on Boxing Day.

As a mater of interest to any parents with potentially wayward teenagers out there...........I took the softly softly approach instead of the tearing a strip off him approach. He has found that much harder to bear and is falling over himself to make it up ranging from studying harder and being nicer to his younger brothers. Not sure how long it will last though but I will milk it! And I will have the cleanest car and best kept lawn in the village next year!

shocky_2

Hmm. I still think the lack of authority is a real problem. You didn't agree to the T&Cs, your son did. Your son did not have permission to bind you to a contract, so I don't see how the T&Cs are binding on you.

Legally, your son entered into a contract, and no doubt he warranted to Jagex that he had authority to make the payment. Legally I think Jagex have to refund you, in theory they would have the right to sue your son but he would have a defence of minority. The situation isn't really any different to someone stealing your phone and using it to pay it for phones. Personally I would be pushing Jagex for a refund.

mjan

I agree with youngsolicitor, don't give up just yet!..

I think you dealt with your son the right way. Hopefully he will learn from his mistakes and from the consequences.

Even if you manage to get your money back, make sure he keeps on cleaning your car and mowing the lawn for a little while anyway