Error Triggers Google Play Apps Refund for Virgin Media Customers

Customers of cable operator Virgin Media (Liberty Global), specifically those who were able to make purchases via Google Play using their account with the broadband provider, can expect to receive a refund from Internet search giant because apparently the system was never supposed to work in the way it did.

Back in June we revealed that Virgin Media was ending their long standing relationship with Google and instead intending to migrate customers on to their own in-house email platform (here), although the move affected more than email.

During the start of the relationship with Google, Virgin Media agreed on which services were to be made available to their customers and these included Google Email, Contacts, Google Talk and Tasks, as well as some additional services like Google Drive or purchases via Google Play. But there was a complication.

Virgin Media Statement

“Due to an error within Google’s systems, some of our customers have been able to make purchases via Google Play using their Virgin Media account. As we migrate our customers away from Google, any of these services or purchases will not be available to you if purchased this way.

To address this, Google are contacting those of you with these additional services, via email, and asking for you to submit your details so they can process a refund for any eligible services or purchases.“

Apparently Virgin Media is not referenced directly in this email (Google instead use the generic term “Google Apps for ISP account“) and so some might mistake it for junk or phishing SPAM, although it’s actually a genuine request. Meanwhile Virgin Media state that such purchases are entirely a matter for Google and their customers because they have no visibility of what content or apps might have been purchased.

Customers who are unsure where they stand might want to give Google’s related email address a mail: playrefund@google.com .