iTunes declining incorrect billing information when its indeed correct

None except that you might want to email support after getting a case number from a phone call to Apple support. Suggest you do that and email support with your details. I've been on iTunes for more than 3 years. This is annoying, ridiculous, frustrating and aggravating. Seems like some twisted security measure.

Is there a specific support number you all have been using? Apologies if this question was answered before. I can't seem to get through to anyone. Thanks!

The one I used this morning was 1-800-275-2273 and it worked after about a 15-20 minute hold.

I emailed customer service and received this response. I've attempted these steps and it still doesn't work. Adding it here. I hope it works for someone.

Hello ***,

Judy here from the iTunes Store. I understand that you are having trouble with your credit card not being accepted. I know how frustrating that can be especially since this is your first purchase. I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

***, Apple has instated a new policy, in which customer are asked to enter the security code of their credit card when they sign into the iTunes Store on a new device (computer, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad). The is to prevent hackers from making unauthorized purchases on accounts. As you update the
OS on your iPhone, this made iTunes recognize the phone as a new device.

Once you have entered the security code for a device you should not be promoted to enter it again every time you sign into the iTunes Store as you have been.

Many customers have resolved this issue by temporarily removing their credit card information from their account. Here are the steps:

1) Visit the Apple Store online: http://store.apple.com/us

2) Click Account in the upper-right corner, then click "Change account information" and sign in using the same Apple ID and password you use for the iTunes Store.

3) You should see your account-profile page. Under Method of Payment, remove all of the characters from the Card Number field. Do not change the expiration date or credit card type.

4) If you haven't already, select where you primarily use your purchases from the pop-up menu near the bottom of the page.

5) Click Continue. If you are asked to enter any other information, be sure to click Continue after making the updates so that your changes will be saved.

6) Make sure you're using the latest version of iTunes. It can be
downloaded free of charge: http://www.itunes.com/download

Note: Installing the latest version of iTunes will not affect your library or any items in your account that you haven't downloaded.

7) Click this link to open iTunes and access the Apple Account Information page: http://phobos.apple.com/accountSummary

8) Sign in to the iTunes Store using your account name and password.

9) On the Apple Account Information page, click the Edit Payment Information button.

10) Enter your payment information and click Done to save your changes.

***, the main reason customers' credit card information is not accepted is their billing name or address does not match the address listed on the credit card statement. Itunes is very sensitive. Any discrepancy in punctuation, abbreviation, or capitalization can cause errors.

For example if you listed 1st Ave. when entering your billing address, and then entered First Avenue when entering your credit card information your card would not be accepted.

If you moved, or if your zip code changed recently, ask your credit card company to make sure its records are up to date and match exactly what you are entering as your billing information.

To ensure your account is functioning, try downloading a free item from the iTunes Store. To do this, navigate to the iTunes Store main page by clicking the Home icon near the upper-left corner of the window. Scroll down and click the "FREE ON iTunes" link near the bottom of the main page, then select an item to download.

I am very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused ***, and I will do my best to ensure the issue is resolved. If you have any questions, or continue to have trouble, please don't hesitate in getting back to me.

Have a lovely week!

With Warm Regards,

Judy
iTunes Store Customer Support

Please note my hours are.

Saturday August 14th, to the 18th, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. August 19 & 20, off. August 21st 8:00 to 5:pm.

August 22nd to 24th, 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 25th & 26th off. 28th & 29th, 12:00 pm to 9:00. 29th off. August 30th to September 3rd, 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you. You may receive an AppleCare survey email; any feedback you provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for adding the steps. Tried them and they didn't work for me either. Beyond over it at this point.

Here is an interesting related article. Its kinda cynical.
http://ispey.com/iphone/2010/09/10/apple-support-discussions-your-payment-method -was-declined/

just tried what that email said to do...didn't work for me.

This is really annoying me...especially because I just bought a new IPod Touch and now I can't download any freakin' apps for it!

The most frustrating part is that they really don't have an answer. The support rep I was on call with had no clue why my account needed to have billing information re-verified when I've been using it for over 2 years. I think its a glitch in their verification system but they won't admit it. Someone in second or third line support at Apple will fix the accounts under duress after several emails. I thought Apple was known for its quality support. So far I've seen more of bouncing around without any concrete reasons or solutions.

Another interesting read. Everyone has had more frustrating experiences with Apple support than being satisfied.

http://www.jedisaber.com/other/iTunes.asp

Alright folks! Fresh instructions from Apple support. Hope it works for someone else. They didn't work for me. Feel like I'm being redirected in circles.

Hello ***,

Judy here again. I am sincerely sorry for all the inconvenience this credit card issue has caused you. I truly want my customers to get the best service possible, and I will do everything I can to help you out today.

***, please try these steps to purchase from iTunes Store. You will need to make corrections to your account information. To do this, please follow these steps:

1) Sign out of the iTunes Store by choosing Sign Out from the Store menu in iTunes.

2) Visit Apple's My Info website:

http://myinfo.apple.com

3) Choose your country and preferred language. Then enter your iTunes Store account name and password and click Continue.

4) Choose Address Book from the menu on the left. On the Edit Address Book page, look at your shipping addresses at the bottom. If you have multiple shipping addresses, remove any out-of-date or duplicate addresses by clicking Delete. Also, make sure the state or province field is filled out correctly for each address. To edit an address, click Edit.

5) Now choose Phone Numbers from the menu on the left to look at your phone numbers. I did notice that there was no - between the last part of your phone number. The area codes should be in the area code fields and the phone numbers should be in the phone number fields. If an area code is missing, or if it is in a phone number field, your account information may not save properly.

6) Make any other necessary corrections, then click the Save Changes button.

7) Click Log out in the upper-right corner.

When you make your next iTunes Store purchase, you will be asked to review your billing information. At that point, you can change your information or simply click Done. After that, you should be able to purchase items.

If iTunes continues to display an error message when you make purchases, please reply to this email and include this information in your reply:

- your complete billing address
- a full description of what you tried to do and any error messages you received
- permission to reset your password so that Apple can investigate the issue

...as well as one of the following:

- the last four digits of the credit card used for your iTunes Store account
- or the order number of your most recent purchase
- or the name of any item you've purchased using this account

I apologize again for any frustration this may have caused. Apple wants your iTunes experience to be as enjoyable as possible. I hope you are having a great day, ***!

Having the same issue.
It started last night when I attempted to make my first iTunes purchase from my replacement iPhone 4.
It asked for billing verification, said that iTunes could not process my request at this time.
The issue then migrated to my AppleTV then my Macs.
I spent 40 mins on the phone to Apple Care this morning. The rep wouldn't let me speak to an iTunes person, but said he was IM'ing with the 'right person' real time as we spoke.
They said there was nothing wrong with my account and I should just wait for it to fix itself. When I replied this was not an acceptable solution, he suggested I reinstall iTunes...
I have tried all the solutions suggested in this thread with no luck.
I don't think it was a coincidence that it seemed be triggered by my replacement iPhone -- I wonder if this is some kind of security lock out that Apple is not admitting to...

I have the exact problem except for I got my iPhone 3GS replaced. There has been no change to my billing information. I am very confident that there is some twisted, flawed security logic or measure that is flagging people who replace their devices. The annoying part is that the replaced device is validated and authorized by Apple itself so this should really be a non issue. I've been back and forth with support now since 9/12 (when the problem first started) and all they've thrown at me are random "fixes" in the form of steps that do the same thing. Talk about insanity.

This is bloody maddening! I know my account info is correct. I phoned the bank to confirm that my card had not been canceled due to misuse. It hadn't.

so far my email correspondence with support has not helped any. She's given me 3 fixes so far and they are pretty much the same thing over and over again. I just told her that plugging in the iPod touch I just purchased 2 days ago into my laptop and changing the credit information via my iTunes did not help the problem that i've had for weeks before I purchased said iPod touch.

I suggest you send an email with as much detail as you can including screenshots. I've done that. Haven't seen any response though but worth a try. I found out that iTunes support all work through chat. My problem was escalated to the second level after a lot of push and pull. Its frustrating as ****.

<Edited by Host>