The company behind the popular multiplayer online videogame Fortnite has been hit with a class action lawsuit claiming that it induces minors to make in-game purchases that don't have the approval of a guardian.

Fortnite is available for free for download on multiple game-playing platforms, but since 2017 players have been able to purchase virtual currency or “V-bucks” to buy things within the game such as virtual supplies, ammunition and costumes—called “skins” in the Fortnite parlance.

The new lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by lawyers at One LLP, claims North Carolina-based Epic Games Inc. doesn't include any built-in parental controls in Fortnite that would allow guardians of minors to make informed decisions regarding in-app purchases. The suit seeks a declaratory judgment finding that Epic violates California consumer protection statutes by not allowing parents to “disaffirm” certain purchases by minors. The suit also brings claims of breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing and negligent misrepresentation against Epic.

“That Epic collects millions of dollars from plaintiff and the class, by luring their children to download bait Apps and then spend vast sums on game currency without parental knowledge or permission, is the quintessence of bad faith and unfair dealing with plaintiff and the class,” wrote the lawyers at One LLP, who sued on behalf of a client proceeding anonymously as Johnny Doe and his Jane Doe mother.

Representatives of Epic didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the lawsuit Monday.

According to the lawsuit, Epic does allow for a refund of up to three total items per user, but only extends that offer to purchases made within the past 30 days. The suit says that some items, including Battle Passes or Battle Pass tiers, are completely nonrefundable in violation of multiple states' child consumer protection statutes. The complaint claims that Epic doesn't give players a history of the in-game purchases, making it possible for minor players to spend an “exorbitant” amount without giving parents a way to track what was spent when.

“Epic induces players into making more purchases by making the purchase process incredibly easy,” the complaint says. “Once a player enters and saves a payment method, that player can purchase more V-Bucks at a whim almost instantly. In practice, that means minors can use their parents' credit cards to make an endless number of purchases, with or without permission.”

The suit seeks to certify a class of players under the age of 18 in the U.S. and California who made an in-app purchase that was nonrefundable or made a purchase with their own gift card.

Peter Afrasiabi in One LLP's Newport Beach office didn't immediately respond to a message Monday morning.

Read the complaint:

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