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Many games and apps are available as free downloads. But who can play with his children unattended, can quickly get a nasty surprise in the form of a high bill. For what many suspect not: While the games are supposedly free offers appear and who pay the tapping must.

There can be no "I did not know" or "I did not!" - Who incurs costs when downloading games, it has also end up paying. Even if the children have started accidentally downloads.

Games like Angry Bird, Playmobil Pirates, Zombie Takeover and Racing Penguin offered for tablets such as Apple's iPad, as free downloads. However, when playing again with paid ads do appear, so-called in-app purchases. These may, for example extra coins, pieces of armor or special abilities that grant the user the game significant benefits.

The costs of gaming accessories are after tapping automatically debited from the credit card account of iPad owners, such as iTunes or via a Google account. Noticed debit the user is only after the end of the month the credit card bill comes.

"We have cases where parents vorfanden several hundred euros on the credit card statement, because the apps could access via iTunes on the credit card data. Since the calculations are usually not immediate, it usually takes days, until someone figures out that the costs were ever created, "said Siobhan Freegard, operator of the website Netmums against Daily Mail.

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Last year, the six year old Jake Sadler has spent the equivalent of 1200 euros for game downloads for Zombie Takeover, he played on the iPad to his mother.

His parents noticed the incident only when their bank was aware of a possible scam, as you have noticed unusual charges on the credit card account.

Jake's mother, Gemma, 31, from Portsmouth, said: "We had no idea until we have the fraud department of the bank contacted us. And then when we checked our account and the large debit discovered I was quite bad. "
Theoretically for purchases must enter a password. However, after entering the password, the account will remain open for another 15 minutes, so that purchases can be made. Some apps take advantage of this circumstance, which can quickly become an expensive pitfall in children's hands.

And is a child only once absorbed properly in a game, it is also constantly begging his parents, to be able to make purchases.

"App developers rarely act unselfishly. Often hide the in-app purchases behind a supposedly free game. Either they are only a small part of the game really free to continue playing and must be paid or they offer via in-app purchases for additional game content such as new areas or upgrades. Sometimes the games "simply constantly interrupted by an in-app purchase offers, says Spencer Whitman AppCertain by the company that provides information in matters of apps.

Justine Roberts, founder of the Internet portal Mumsnet told the Daily Mail: "It's just too fast, that children are drawn into a game. And before you know it, huge costs are incurred because they have bought coins, berries or donuts. You will definitely need to keep an eye on which device settings are available to your child so that your password can not be used for purchases. "

And CEO Richard Lloyd adds: "It is really easy for kids to create huge bills with apps, because most basic settings allow in-app purchases, without once asking for a confirmation or password. If your child has caused a huge bill without knowing it, you should apply directly to the app store or the manufacturer to inquire about how you can possibly obtain a refund. "

iPad maker Apple says: "All iOS devices have settings that allow parents and guardians to restrict content, such as the Internet or age restrictions. The setting it will also allow purchases through iTunes or in-app purchases off completely. "