A father of a nine-year-old boy lost his job after his son spent $118,000 on YouTube ads using his corporate credit card, according to Tom's Hardware UK. The man, known as the dad of Mighty Mike Play, is now trying to figure out how to repay the debt and warns that no fundraising campaigns have been set up in their name.
What Happened
The nine-year-old gained access to his father's corporate credit card and spent $118,000 promoting content on YouTube. Most likely, these were ad campaigns launched through an ad account — where charges happen automatically, without additional confirmation.
Consequences for the Family
The father not only lost his job but also ended up with a huge debt. In an interview, he said: "I'm going to be working until I'm like 94." He refused to set up a GoFundMe or launch a crypto coin to raise funds, and warned that any fundraisers in their name are scams.
Why This Matters for Cardholders
This story is a vivid example of how an ordinary card linked to an ad account can become a source of uncontrolled spending. If the card is corporate and a child has access to it, the risks multiply: the bank may not treat the transactions as fraudulent, since they were formally authorized.
- Ad platforms charge automatically, without additional confirmation.
- Corporate cards often have high limits — this increases potential damage.
- Getting money back is difficult: transactions are considered legitimate unless fraud is proven.
How to Protect Yourself: Step-by-Step Guide
Here are a few steps to reduce the risk of similar situations. They apply to both personal and corporate cards.
Step 1. Separate Your Cards
Don't use one card for work expenses and personal needs. For ad accounts, get a separate virtual card with a low limit.
Step 2. Set Limits
Set daily and monthly limits on all cards. Virtual cards let you set a limit per transaction or per period — this limits damage even with accidental access.
Step 3. Enable Notifications
Turn on push notifications and SMS for every transaction. This way you'll know about a charge immediately, not a month later.
Step 4. Restrict Children's Access
Don't leave cards where children can take them. Use separate devices and don't save payment data in the browser.
Step 5. Use Virtual Cards for Ads
Virtual cards can be issued for a specific task and closed after use. This is convenient for paying for ad campaigns, subscriptions, and foreign services.
FAQ
Can I get back money spent by a child?
Refunds are difficult: if transactions were authorized by the cardholder, the bank may refuse a refund. In each case, you need to contact the bank and the platform where the money was spent.
What to do if a child spent money from a card?
Immediately block the card, contact the bank and the service where the charges occurred. The faster you do this, the higher the chance of stopping further spending.
How does a virtual card help control expenses?
A virtual card lets you set limits and quickly block it if suspicious activity occurs. This reduces the risk of major losses.
This is not financial advice. Cryptocurrencies and payment tools involve risks.
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