Unauthorized Google Play charges - what to do?

You can take action if your Google Account does not have Google Play debited. This practical tip shows you how to ensure that an unauthorized purchase is not billed.

Google Play Store: Unauthorized Google Play purchases

• Google's fraud protection guidelines are secured for all unauthorized Google Play debits via your Google account.
• So if an unauthorized purchase has been made through your account, Google will ensure that you are not billed for it.

1. Debit not made by Google

First, check whether the charge was actually made by Google. All purchases made on Google Play appear on your bank statement as "GOOGLE * application developer name" or "GOOGLE * content type".

• If the charge in question does not appear on your bank statement as mentioned above, it is not from Google Play. In such a case, you should contact your bank to report the debit.

2. Accidental Google Play purchase by members of your household

Talk to members of your household, such as children or friends. It is possible that someone in your household unintentionally caused the charge, for example by making in-app purchases.

• In this case, it is an unauthorized charge, but not a fraud. For assistance in such a special case, contact Google Play customer service.
• If you or a member of your household makes an app purchase unintentionally, you can cancel the order within 15 minutes. We will explain in another practical tip how you can cancel an app purchase in the Google Play Store.

3. Unassignable Google Play charge

If the two situations described above do not apply to you and you still cannot assign the charge, report the unauthorized Google Play charge to the Google Wallet team within 60 days of the transaction.

• To do this, click on the "Google Wallet Team" link and fill in the "Unassigned charge" form with your details. As soon as you have entered all the necessary information, confirm your information by clicking on the blue "Send" button with the left mouse button.
• Google will then get back to you in the next few days or weeks.

Another practical tip explains how you can prevent unwanted Google Play purchases with a password.