Shopping on eBay is great. Most would agree that getting a new car is great. But when those things happen on accident, it can definitely be a little troublesome. Turns out, that’s exactly what happened to one unlucky couple when their toddler accidentally bought a car using her dad’s phone.
Just last week, Paul Stoute got an email congratulating him on his status as the winning eBayer for a car he didn’t remember bidding on. Turns out his fourteen-month-old daughter, Sorella, had gotten a hold of her dad’s smartphone, made her way onto eBay, and acquired the family’s newest car.
Toddler Buys Surprise Austin Healey Sprite on eBay
Toddlers have accidents all the time — but those accidents don’t usually involve buying a sports car off eBay. But before you start to worry about an innocent family sent tumbling into financial ruins by the actions of an errant toddler, know that the price tag on this little car was only $225. Hardly enough to break the bank.
In fact, Paul actually decided he’d go ahead and keep the beat-up sports car. He thinks it’ll make a nice gift for the toddler when she turns sixteen.
The tech-savvy toddler purchased a 1962 Austin Sprite, similar to the one pictured above. The family decided to keep the car.
At first, Paul says, he was a bit panicked and wanted to see if he could somehow get out of the unauthorized purchase. Once he realized how low the total was, though (and probably after a talk with the Mrs.), he decided he’d keep the car after all.
Kids & Smartphones Don’t Always Mix
This isn’t the first time a little tyke has gotten in touch with some tech to cause Mom and Dad a bit of financial hardship. Not only ago, we ran the story about a class-action lawsuit that was brought against Apple over in-app game purchases.
It turns out that Ms. Stoute isn’t the only child who’s made some unauthorized purchases with Mom and Dad’s smartphone or tablet. But when this happens, are the phone manufacturers and app developers really to blame?
While Mr. Stoute was happy to pay up and be a good sport, those involved with the class-action suit against Apple are insisting that stricter permissions and tighter fail-safes must be implemented so kids can’t accidentally make purchases with their parents’ mobile devices.
Keep Your Smartphone and Tablet Secure
If you’ve got small children, it’s a goodidea to keep your smartphone and/or tablet device safe and secure. Accidental car purchases aren’t the only reason.
Most smartphones and tablets are designed for use by a single individual. As such, they connect to our online services, email accounts, and more. This makes a smartphone or tablet devices a virtual treasure trove of private information for identity thieves and is the reason why they should be secured at all times.
Do you have any tips for making sure the little ones don’t get their hands on your smartphone or tablet computer? Do you simply lock it up? Use a special type of child-proof lock screen?
Share your tips in the comments section below.
See Also
Apple Settles Class-Action Lawsuit with Parents of In-App Buying Kids
Strange But True: iPad Scammers Sell UK Man a Box of Potatoes
iPhone 5 Fraud Warning: Scambook Predicts As Many as 1 Million Fake iPhones
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