When a Credit Card Hits the Fan: A 20‑K Debt Spree in a Tiny Apartment
Singapore – Lim Cheng Mong, a 56‑year‑old product manager, was stunned when his bank called to say he’d inadvertently dumped more than $20,000 of overdue credit‑card debt onto his name. The culprit? 89 seemingly innocuous “transactions” that blew up the bill.
The Curious Chain of Events
At first, Lim thought he’d been hacked. “I was convinced I’d been scammed,” he said, but the card issuer insisted the charges were legitimate and they could do nothing about them.
The trail set off into his 18‑year‑old daughter’s Grab account – a mobile wallet linked to his card meant literally for her rides. Unbeknownst to him, the teen had freckled the same e‑wallet into a mobile game called Genshin Impact and went on a six‑week buying binge from August to October.
“That’s Three Years of Tuition!”
“Imagine paying his entire year of university fees if she’d studied abroad,” Lim chuckled, noting “she just spent the money like it was no big deal.” (And yea, it was.)
Why This Happens to “Smart” Families
- Kids are growing up in a digital playground where a tap can trigger a real‑money purchase.
- With gacha‑style loot boxes, a small gamified “auction” feels like a fun splash of excitement.
- Parents increasingly find themselves balancing the need for convenience with a rogue‑hand selfie habit on their cards.
Digital‑payment companies are now telling parents to set up notifications on e‑wallets. “If you see a huge number pop up and you’re not looking, good thing you’re on the lookout,” a spokesperson warned.
The Genshin Gamble That Broke the Bank
Genshin Impact – those crisp, open‑world free‑to‑play adventures – earned $2 billion since launch in 2020. Beneath that dazzles a “gacha” monetization: you buy random items hoping that lucky drop will give you the power‑ups you need.
Lim’s daughter, a grad of an International Baccalaureate school, spent up to $300 per attempt. Every coupon purchase was a distinct gamble, a bit like buying a lottery ticket.
This mechanic has some regulators waving a red flag. Belgium, among others, has banned the game for treating “gacha” as gambling.
“What Exactly Is Gacha?”
Think of it as a vending machine that spits out plastic toys, but inside the game you’re forced to buy “capsules” with real money. The tick‑tock of “Will it be a power‑up or a progress delay?” is a knowing nod to those who’ve spent too much time in Fortune‑Consulting “add‑on” shops.
Bitter Lesson in Digital Parenting
The incident illustrates a growing trend: teenagers draining family wallets via hidden in‑app purchases.
In this case, the teen sank through Apple’s App Store and a notorious payment platform called Coda Payments—both convenient but hard to monitor.
Lim’s saga is a wake‑up call. While the gaming industry chalks up success, it also underlines the necessity for a parental quick‑look: “Set your wallet alerts, because when the gacha table spins, your card could be on fire.”
Grab and Coda: Turning the Spam Bots Into Good Buddies
Grab’s co‑owner, speaking in plain English, urged everyone to set up real‑time alerts for every wallet hit on the platform. Think of it like the “do-not-use-that-lunch‑box” alarm on your phone – you’ll know right away if your e‑wallet is being tapped.
Grab’s tip sheet also recommends deactivating the auto‑top‑up feature and sticking to a pre‑set budget. The company’s spokesman added that it’s looked into Lim’s case – case closed, sort of.
Meanwhile, Coda Payments, which powers roughly 250 different in‑app purchase methods, stated that it can’t comment on individual disputes for privacy reasons. It did, however, strongly encourage users to reach out to their card issuer if a charge seems off. You’re basically asking your bank friend: “Did you really pull money from my account?”
Apple’s Family Cutting Tool: The “Ask to Buy” Settings
Apple replied to the same queries by pointing customers toward its support pages, which say that families with multiple devices should cross‑check restrictions on every gadget.
Its Family Sharing tool offers an “Ask to Buy” mode, meaning a purchase waits on the cardholder’s thumbs‑up before the transaction goes live. In other words: parents, you’re still in the driver’s seat.
Lawyer Lionel Tan’s Take on the Over‑18 Dilemma
Technology lawyer Lionel Tan, from Rajah & Tann Singapore, suggested there’s a chance to reverse a charge if a minor was enticed by a game purposed for adults – or if the app’s prompts were downright confusing.
He pointed out that Lim’s daughter has just turned 18, making her legally capable of signing contracts as of this moment. Tan noted that it would be tough to argue she didn’t know she was actually buying stuff.
“To make life easier,” Tan warned, “let’s realize that more and more kids are getting rope‑tied into online services. Misunderstanding purchases is at the heart of many resolved cases.”
Tan added that both negative publicity and regulatory eyebrows are watching the dark corners of online commerce. Parents, you should keep an eye on whom your kids connect with on the internet.
Lim’s Heart‑to‑Heart Story
- Lim successfully recouped about $10,000 from his credit‑card issuer, thanks to the bank’s goodwill.
- He reminded his 21‑year‑old son – another gamer – that you can’t “help” a kid spend online in the same way you’d “help” them buy video cards. The lessons are straight – no sheltering from true responsibility.
- Lim hopes authorities and companies will tighten enforcement, especially whenever a child comes into the equation.
Lim’s Bottom Line: “We parents have zero control. It’s a waiting‑room for disaster, so I want more parents to be aware of this.” | — Lim
How to set alerts for transactions
Keeping Your Wallet Safe: Top Tips for Payment Apps
Everyone loves a quick tap for the coffee, but those few unintended pop‑ups can drain your balance faster than you realize.
1. Lock It Down
- Set a strong, unique password. Think of it as the bouncer for your digital wallet.
- Enable biometric login (fingerprint or face scan). It’s scary for strangers but super handy for you.
- Use two‑factor authentication. That extra code sent to your phone is your second line of defense.
2. Watch the Permissions
- Review app permissions. Keep those that let your app read contact lists or access your location to a minimum.
- Disable “Allow payments without PIN” unless you trust the environment. It’s a shortcut that can backfire.
3. Keep Software Fresh
- Install updates promptly. Developers patch bugs and security holes faster than squirrels in a nut‑shop.
- Only download apps from official stores. Fake apps can masquerade as your bank.
4. Check Your Settings
- Limit automatic payments. Auto‑charge should be a feature, not a surprise party.
- Set transaction limits. Smaller caps mean smaller losses if something goes awry.
5. Stay Alert on Alerts
- Enable instant notifications. Every chip or swipe should send a quick report to your phone.
- Double‑check unfamiliar charges. If you spot a weird name or amount, contact customer support right away.
By tightening these precautions, you can enjoy the convenience of modern payment apps while keeping your money out of uninvited clutches.
Grab
Grab Your Alerts, Grab Your Convenience
Want to stay on top of every swipe, tap, or swipe‑less move you make? Follow these snappy steps to keep your inbox buzzing with every GrabPay transaction.
Step 1 – Dive into the App
- Open Grab.
- Navigate to the Account tab.
- Click Settings.
Step 2 – Find Your Messaging Hub
- Tap the GrabPay drop‑down menu.
- Select Communications.
Step 3 – Get Your Notifications On
- Choose the option “Inform me of cashless transactions via e‑mail” under the Transaction Statement section.
- Confirm your choice and you’re all set!
Now every time you go cash‑free, Grab’s got your back and your inbox – no more missed alerts, no more guessing!
OCBC Bank
Turn on the OCBC Buzz
Got a new message in your pockets? Make it shout louder, louder, loud‑er! Just give your OCBC app a quick tap.
Step 1: Grab the Bell
When you’re on the log‑in screen, there’s a bell icon in the top‑right corner. Hit it, and a neat list of the bank’s notifications will pop up like a friendly pop‑up card.
Step 2: Hit Settings
Now, navigate to the Settings icon—that little gear on the top‑left. Once you’re in there, toggle the switch labeled “Receive Alerts.”
If it flips from gray to green, you’re set!
- Easy: 2 taps, 1 toggle, 1 notification party.
- Done in seconds. Move on to more important stuff.
Once finished, you’ll hear those alerts from OCBC like a notification friend blowing a drumroll—only without the noise and mess. Happy banking!
Standard Chartered Bank
Stay in the Loop with Banking Alerts
Ready to get notified about every move your account makes? It’s a breeze—just follow these quick steps:
- Open the Mobile App and sign in like a pro.
- From the drop‑down menu, tap Settings—the gateway to all things customizable.
- Head straight to Inbox Notifications and turn the toggle on.
Once enabled, your phone will buzz with every banking update. Don’t miss out on those surprising fee bumps or celebratory deposit confirmations—you’ll feel like you’re on a financial rollercoaster with the best safety net!
Apple App Store
Let’s Keep Your Kid’s App Buying in Check with Ask to Buy
Why Parents Should Pay Attention
Ever watched your little one download a new game and you’re like, “Whoa, did I set this up?” Ask to Buy is that safety net that pops up right when your child tries to snag a new app. It sends you a quick notification so you can decide—yes, a wild new space shooter or no, no more digital gadgets.
Getting Started: How to Turn It On
Follow these simple steps to enable Ask to Buy on your Apple device. It’s faster than making a cup of tea.
- Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
- Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
- Select Family Sharing in the list.
- Choose Ask to Buy from the options.
- Find the family member’s name (your little budding gamer).
- Toggle the switch to ON (or OFF if you prefer your kid spacesuit to be completely free‑to‑fly).
What Happens After You Turn It On
Once the switch is lit, every time your child hesitates to download something, an alert buzzes on your device. Grab your phone, reply with a quick “Yes” or “No”, and they’re good to go—or not.
Bottom Line
Ask to Buy is like a friendly digital guard that ensures your little one’s endless scroll of amusing apps stays within your wish-list. It’s a win-win—your peace of mind, their learning, and a healthier tablet ecosystem.
Give it a try and keep those curious downloads sorted!
