Quick FAQ: What to Do If Your Favorite Mobile Game Pushes You Toward Purchases

Hook: When a game pushes purchases, what do you do right now?

Fast action matters. If a mobile game’s notifications, scarcity prompts, or bundled currency offers pushed you or a child to spend unexpectedly, you’re not alone — and you can take concrete steps today to get a refund, report the practice, and lock down future purchases. This short FAQ distills what players need to know after the Italy (AGCM) probe into Activision in early 2026 and gives clear next steps.

Top-level, immediate actions (do these first)

1. Stop further spending: Remove saved payment methods from the device or disable in-app purchases (see parental controls below).
2. Collect evidence: Take screenshots of the purchase screens, notifications, in-game currency bundles, receipts, transaction IDs, and time stamps.
3. Request a refund through the platform: File a refund request with Apple/Google right away (platforms have the fastest resolution paths).
4. If a child made the purchase: Immediately contact the platform and your bank to dispute charges and document parental controls that were missing or bypassed.

FAQ: Refunds

Q: Can I get a refund for an in-app purchase?

Short answer: Maybe — and act fast. Refund outcomes depend on the store (Apple App Store, Google Play), the timing, and local consumer law. If a purchase was made in the last 48–72 hours, automatic or expedited refunds are common. For older or disputed transactions, you'll need stronger evidence or to escalate.

Q: How do I request a refund on Apple?

1. Open your receipt email or go to reportaproblem.apple.com.
2. Find the transaction, choose "Report a Problem," and select the reason (e.g., "Item didn't download or can't be found," "Problem with in-app purchase").
3. Upload screenshots and explain if the purchase was accidental, misleading, or by a minor.
4. If Apple declines, contact your card issuer for a chargeback as a final step; banks often require evidence you attempted to resolve the issue first.

Q: How do I request a refund on Google Play?

1. Open play.google.com or Google Play app > Account > Purchase history.
2. Find the purchase and choose "Refund" or "Request a refund." Early requests (within 48 hours) are often handled automatically.
3. If automatic refund is denied, use the appeal form and include evidence that the purchase was misleading, unauthorized, or from a child.
4. Escalate to your payment provider for a chargeback if necessary.

Q: If a child made the purchase, do I have extra rights?

Yes. Many platforms have policies for unauthorized purchases by minors (for example, Apple's "Ask to Buy"). If a child used your payment method without permission, document the situation, disable payments, and file for a refund immediately. Banks commonly accept unauthorized charge disputes when the cardholder proves lack of authorization.

FAQ: Reporting abusive or misleading purchase practices

Q: What counts as an abusive or misleading practice?

Examples include: urgent scarcity prompts that pressure spending, opaque virtual currency bundles where monetary value is unclear, dark-pattern interfaces that hide costs, and features clearly targeted at keeping minors spending without clear parental consent.

Q: Where should I report this behavior?

• Platform complaint channels: Report the app on the App Store or Google Play (use the report link on the app page and include evidence).
• National consumer protection agency: In Italy, file with the AGCM (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato); other countries have their own agencies.
• European channels: If you’re in the EU, contact your local consumer protection authority or use the ECC-Net (European Consumer Centre) for cross-border issues.
• Payment provider: File a chargeback or fraud claim with your card issuer or PayPal if charges were unauthorized or misleading.
• Advertising standards bodies: If the issue involves misleading ads or “free-to-play” claims that hide costs, report to your country’s advertising standards authority.

Q: How do I file a useful complaint to a consumer agency (like AGCM)?

1. Describe the product, app name, developer, and platform.
2. State the specific practice (e.g., “bundles hide value of virtual currency,” “scarcity pop-ups push purchases,” "kids targeted").
3. Attach evidence: screenshots, receipts, timestamps, and any communication with the developer or platform.
4. Note the remedy you seek: refund, policy enforcement, or public investigation.
5. If you are in Italy, reference the AGCM probe into similar practices (early 2026) to show regulatory precedent.

"These practices... may influence players as consumers — including minors — leading them to spend significant amounts... without being fully aware of the expenditure involved." — AGCM, Jan 2026

FAQ: Protecting kids and preventing accidental purchases

Q: What quick settings can parents enable right now?

• Apple (iOS/iPadOS): Use Family Sharing + Ask to Buy; set a Screen Time passcode; disable in-app purchases in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-app Purchases > Don’t Allow.
• Google/Android: Set up Google Family Link for kids’ accounts; enable purchase authentication in Google Play > Settings > Require authentication for purchases; create a PIN for purchases; disable payment methods for the child account.
• Remove saved payment methods: From device settings and platform account pages — this prevents one-tap purchases.
• Turn off push notifications: Notifications often create urgency; mute them in the device or the game’s settings.

Q: My kid bypassed parental controls — now what?

1. Document the incident with screenshots and receipts.
2. Contact the platform immediately to request refunds for unauthorized purchases and explain how controls were bypassed.
3. Contact your card issuer for a dispute if the platform route is slow or denied.
4. Strengthen controls: change passwords, remove payment sources, enable two-factor authentication, and change the Screen Time or Family Link passcode.

FAQ: Reporting to AGCM and other consumer agencies — practical steps

Q: How do I report to AGCM (Italy)?

If you are in Italy and believe an app uses misleading or aggressive techniques, file a complaint with AGCM using their public complaint form or consumer portal. Include all evidence and indicate whether a minor was involved. Citing the recent 2026 probe into major titles gives context that AGCM is actively investigating these behaviors.

Q: If I’m outside Italy, which agency should I contact?

• EU residents: contact your national consumer protection authority and ECC-Net for cross-border issues.
• UK: Contact the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) or Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) depending on the issue.
• US: File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your state attorney general; if ads are deceptive, report to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or advertising regulators.

Advanced strategies and next steps if standard routes fail

Q: The developer and platform refuse refunds. What next?

1. Chargeback: Contact your bank or card issuer for a reversal. Banks require you show you tried to resolve the issue.
2. Consumer agency complaint: File a formal complaint with a national agency — in many jurisdictions this prompts investigations that can force refunds or policy changes.
3. Small claims court: As a last resort, consider small claims court for significant, documented losses. Keep records and communications.

Q: How should I document and preserve evidence?

• Take high-resolution screenshots and save receipts/emails.
• Record timestamps and transaction IDs.
• Keep copies of any chat or email support responses from the developer/platform.
• If the game is time-limited, record short screen videos of the purchase flow or notifications that pressured spending.

Trends in 2026 and what they mean for you

Regulators across the EU and other jurisdictions stepped up enforcement in late 2025 and early 2026. The AGCM probe into Activision titles is part of a broader pattern: authorities are scrutinizing dark patterns, loot-box-style mechanics, and unclear virtual-currency pricing. App stores have responded with increased transparency requirements and stricter review rules for in-app purchases. Expect:

• Greater enforcement actions similar to AGCM cases; that increases your leverage when filing complaints.
• Platform-level changes: clearer price labeling for virtual currency and mandatory purchase authentication for minors in more regions.
• More consumer tools and browser/app extensions in 2026 that detect aggressive push-notification patterns and warn users.

Sample complaint text you can adapt

Use this when filing with a consumer agency, platform, or your bank:

I am filing a complaint regarding [App Name] by [Developer] on [Platform]. On [date], I or a minor on my account made purchases that I believe were induced by misleading or aggressive design tactics. I attach screenshots of the purchase flow, the in-game currency bundles sold, and the transaction receipt [transaction ID]. The purchase was prompted by urgent scarcity messaging and unclear currency conversion, which hiddenly increased the actual cost. I request a refund of [amount], and an investigation into the developer’s practices to prevent further harm to consumers, including minors.

Actionable takeaways — what to do in the next 24 hours

• Disable in-app purchases and remove saved payment methods from the device or app store.
• Request a refund from the platform immediately; include screenshots and the transaction ID.
• If a child was involved, contact your bank for a dispute and file a report with the platform citing "unauthorized" or "in-app purchase by a minor."
• File a complaint with your national consumer agency — if you’re in Italy, report to AGCM, referencing the 2026 probe if appropriate.
• Strengthen account security: change passwords, enable MFA, and set parental controls.

Final notes: responsible engagement in 2026

In 2026 the balance is shifting: regulators are more willing to act, app stores are tightening rules, and consumer tools are improving. That doesn’t mean every denied refund will be reversed — but it does mean your complaints now carry more weight. Be precise, document everything, and escalate smartly: platforms first, then payment providers, then consumer agencies.

Call to action

If a pushy mobile game has cost you or your family money, act now: collect screenshots, request a platform refund, and file complaints with your bank and consumer agency. For Italy residents, report to AGCM — the 2026 Activision probe shows these complaints are being taken seriously. Need a ready-made complaint tailored to your case? Download our one-click complaint template and step-by-step checklist to file with platforms and consumer agencies (includes sample language for AGCM and exportable evidence list).

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