Security code is invalid. iTunes for iTouch.

Due to an issue with my computer, I am forced to buy my songs from my iPod Touch. But when I try to purchase new songs, I get a message saying I need to enter my billing info and it takes me to a screen that says I need to insert my security code, and when I do, it says the number I put in is invalid.

iPod Touch, Other OS

Posted on May 19, 2010 9:48 PM

Reply
240 replies

Jan 24, 2012 8:15 AM in response to Chris CA

Chris

The sequence you just had me perform solved all the issues which I had mentioned above, for which kudos and a million thanks!!


Ergo: I was wrong and the security code had nothing to do with the problems, for it still remains blank as before.


It would be really great if I understood what it was that this sequence accomplished and/or why it worked and, although perhaps it might be a little more difficult, tell me how I got myself into the problem in the first place.

In any case, I am indebted to you for this fix which now freed my iPod to use the iCloud.

Mike

Jan 29, 2012 1:17 PM in response to Catfish Soup

I HAVE A SOLUTION!!!

using your credit or debit card that you use in iTunes set up a PayPal account. after you do this, set the PayPal as you method of payment in iTunes Store (under the Store menu go to Manage Account then choose to Edit you payment method).

I have been having this problem and have tried loads of suggestions and decided that since I already have a PayPal (from eBay purchases) to just use it for my method of payment.

Feb 7, 2012 4:28 PM in response to Catfish Soup

I just checked with my CC carrier. The issue is a result of a merchant reporting that a series of cards was compromised. The result is that the card still works for in-person purchases (Gas, Grocery, etc...) but online purchases may be denied by an online vendor. APPLE is one such vendor that denies purchases if there is a report of a compromise. There is nothing that you can do with the current card except wait for a replacement. Mine is on its way. My understanding is its not necessarily a local store that was compromised but the actual bank that issued your card. So, in my case, its BOA. ... and they're sending another. In the meantime I can still use this card to get gas etc... just no love at iTunes. 😢

Feb 8, 2012 7:35 AM in response to Catfish Soup

First, once again my gratitude to Chris CA, who, in his post above, in fact, did supply a fix to my problem which was that I was not able to buy songs from my iPod. Although it appeared to me initially that it was a Credit Card Security code issue, in the end it turned out to be an idiosyncracy of the iTunes and iOS iPod Touch software interlock, probably a security subroutine of some sort to prevent someone from purchasing something unless they are the true owner of the ID/password combination. I must mention that my problem became more complex in that I had 4 computers and 2 iPod Touch devices interconnected to the iTunes store.

I was forced, by a new requirement, to change ID's and Password's on my iPod Touch to be an email address and provide a password that contained a capital letter. [It is curious that the iTunes Windows software still does not have this limitation] Upon changing my iPod ID and password to match the new requirements I seems that I had apparently produced a new Apple account applying only to my iPod Touch and when I tried to buy a song a message appeared on my iPod that I could no longer connect to the iTunes Store. My son on his iPod Touch had also changed to the new requirements and our accounts were mulitplying like rabbits. Apple recommends [and I agree] that one should have only one Apple ID and Password. After going through a series of steps to establish one ID and password in the iTunes store, it then became necessary on both the iPod Touch devices to sign out and sign in again as stipulated above in Chirs CA's fix in order to reachieve a lock with our new Apple account which then allowed us to once again purchase on iTunes from my iPod Touch. I cannot over emphasize the importance of every login point on all your Apple devices being reset by a sign out and sign in after any such account change. On the touch there are several locations which require sign out and sign in process as seen in the Chris CA fix above. So, while I am sure that the many credit card security issues mentioned above can also cause a problems, I advise anyone with a "Cannot connect to the iTunes store" warning on their iPod touch to try the method Chis CA mentions above in this thread before acquiring new credit cards or opting for Paypal. I wish also to commend the iTunes support tech Romarico who followed up several times with me to verify I had actually achieved a relock with my account. A more intuitive process for establishing passwords with a few more caveats stipulated in the troubleshooting sequences published as "Help" by Apple might prevent some of this dialog, but, in my case, the net result was that the forum, in conjunction with the Apple supprt group, functioned to solve my problem which makes my iPod touch a pleasure to use again.

Mike in TN

Feb 9, 2012 9:59 AM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

I have a new iPhone from Verizon. Every now and then when I try to download an app whether it's free or not I get a sign saying security code is invalid and that's not true. Usually when that happens I reboot my phone and it fixes it well last night I got it and I tried doing it and it wouldn't help. It keeps saying security code is invalid and I am putting the right onw in. I have no idea what to do. It keeps saying security code is invalid and then few hours later it will say credit card processing is temporarly unavailable. Please help

Feb 9, 2012 8:39 PM in response to Catfish Soup

Just a heads up for everyone having this security code problem, I was using one of those visa prepaid credit cards and i made a iTunes purchase for 1.99 and I did not know this at the time but I only had 1.84 left on the card, however for some reason the transaction went through and when I got on my computer and went to iTunes I signed out then signed back in and it poped up and said "there was a problem with a previous purchase go to purchase history and correct the problem" I go to purchase history and it tells me I owe them the extra few cents that wasn't on my card for the 1.99 purchase and that's why I'm getting this security number issue along with the inability to download anything. But my question is if I didn't have enough money on the card then why the **** did the purchase go through? Anyways I'm assuming tomorrow I should be able to go get a iTunes gift card and put it on my account to pay for that transaction and it clear everything up....we will see

Feb 29, 2012 4:48 PM in response to Xendur

I cannot overemphasize the importance of having all the various login areas with the same ID on your iPod.

The most important step is to determine your ID and Password and the Credit card you want to use. The ONLY place to maintain this information is at the webpage at "Apple.com" under "account" THIS is the ONLY place which stores your security code. Although your "account login" at "iTunes" may show a blank for the security code you cannot enter the number at that location. Nor can you enter it in any logins on your iPod although the blank may be there it will not register the code. You should be able to purchase [assuming you have set up your Apple Account properly on their website] by simply entering the ID and password from the Apple website account. If you open the account page in iTunes to edit your account there will be a blank for the security code but although you can enter the number it does not capture it. ONLY your Apple website account page will register the security code. It is on that webpage you must be sure that you have the correct code entered and it will show three stars to verify the entry after an edit.


iPod recently changed its requirement for and Apple ID on the iPod it has to be a legitimate email account. If you have an old account and the ID is not your email account go to the Apple website and change the account. Note that you should CHANGE the account ID -- NOT initiate a new one. THERE IS NO WAY to merge accounts so all iTunes bought with a specific account will remain with that account. If you chose to set up a new one then, unless you hook everything up with the iCloud, you will have to sign into the old iTunes account to play the music bought through that account. One thing that is important is to log out and on again once any changes are made to your Apple account.


The following logins need to have the proper information in your Apple webpage Account in order function or buy music:

iCloud: Vefiy you Apple account ID NOTE once again there is a security code blank but you CAN NOT change the code on the iPod.

Store: Verify that your Apple ID from the Apple website Account is shown.

iTunes: Verify that your Apple ID from the Apple website is shown if not

There may be others and they all will need to be identical.

I left a couple of messages above which document my journey through this maze and the help I got to unscramble login process. Wouldn't hurt to read those messages.

The steps above will only solve the complexity of the log in process. If there is a security code issue with your card obviously that can't be solved internally to the Apple process.


Mike

Mar 2, 2012 9:31 AM in response to michaelfromunion city

michaelfromunion city wrote:


The most important step is to determine your ID and Password and the Credit card you want to use. The ONLY place to maintain this information is at the webpage at "Apple.com" under "account" THIS is the ONLY place which stores your security code

Please be more specific.

There is no "account" at "Apple.com".

Although your "account login" at "iTunes" may show a blank for the security code you cannot enter the number at that location.

Actually, that is the only placve it is available to enter it.

If you open the account page in iTunes to edit your account there will be a blank for the security code but although you can enter the number it does not capture it.

Works fine here when I enter it.

The securityy code is not displayed (as the entire CC number is not displayed) after it is entered aand you press OK as it kinda defeats the "security" aspect.


ONLY your Apple website account page will register the security code.
...
Apple webpage Account

How about a link to this "Apple website account page" where you enter CC info?

appleid.apple.com is not a place to enter CC info.

iCloud: Vefiy you Apple account ID NOTE once again there is a security code blank but you CAN NOT change the code on the iPod.

I can easily change the CC info including security code on my iPhone/iPad.

Settings > Store, tapa ccount then View account.

iPod recently changed its requirement for and Apple ID on the iPod it has to be a legitimate email account

Note that Apple (not iPod) is the company that that makes iPods, iTunes, iTunes store, iPads, iPhone, iTunes accounts, etc.

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Security code is invalid. iTunes for iTouch.

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