can people make purchases using stolen iphone x?

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Level 1

8 points

can people make purchases using stolen iphone x?

I lost my iphone at a club. Got locked out of my icloud account becuase i could not remember password and have had to wait 5+ days to be able to reactivate my Apple ID to access my iCloud. Obvz this sucks. (the club has been closed all week and not answering phone calls or emails).

While waiting for access, my debit card is cancelled by my bank due to fraudulent transactions. Which yes, i did not make.

My question is - can people use my iphone x (with face ID, double authentication etc) to make purchases? Or did my card get copied/scammed in an atm at the club?? I stll have and never lost my debit card.. have since cancelled and ordered a new one. (I'm thinking phone robbers - but thought worthwhile asking folk - apple support have not been able to confirm for some reason).

Sorry for long-winded post! And thanks in advance for any clarity!

Pato

iPhone X, iOS 12

Posted on Feb 21, 2019 3:41 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 21, 2019 5:26 PM in response to iPhoneXPat

If you had a passcode on the phone and had Find my iPhone enabled (which also enables Activation Lock) then it is not possible for your phone to have been used for the charges.

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Answer 2

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Feb 21, 2019 3:56 PM in response to iPhoneXPat

Difficult to respond because I have no clue how well you protected yourself ahead of time. Hopefully you enabled this function.

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Feb 21, 2019 3:57 PM in response to iPhoneXPat

Only if they know the password for the phone.

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Answer 4

iPhoneXPat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2019 4:02 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Thanks Philly_Phan! Yeah, that was setup, but bit of a mess.. unable to access it because locked out my account. No way to expedite unlocking account with Apple either - they apparently need at least five days to "confirm my identity" and options to expedite online require me having access to my iphone number so that i can receive an access code.

All very convoluted and draaawn out.. (and confusing I'm sure.. :) )

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Answer 5

iPhoneXPat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2019 4:05 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks Lawrence! Yeah, that's what I thought.. plus I have face ID, fingerprint and passcode (all of the good thangs) enabled..

Just seems so odd to me that someone could still use my phone to make a purchase if they (1) don't have my face (2) don't have my fingerprint and (3) don't know my passcode..

But that means not only did i misplace my iphone.. but my card was skimmed using an atm(??). I feel like it's only logical that someone was able to use my iphone..??

So confusing.

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Answer 6

iPhoneXPat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2019 4:29 PM in response to Philly_Phan

True that. Thanks Philly_Phan, glad they were on it. Was a bit awkward tho - because i had no idea that they blocked my card because they phoned me and left me a voicemail to notify me. But I was of course, phoneless. Super confused when the second establishment declined my card LOLz

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Answer 7

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Feb 21, 2019 4:33 PM in response to iPhoneXPat

I have found that banks and CC companies are much more proactive than they had been in the past. Occasionally we go out to dinner with a gift card but, of course, I base the tip on the full amount. I always get an alert from my CC company that my tip appears to be unreasonably high.

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Answer 8

iPhoneXPat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2019 5:24 PM in response to Philly_Phan

True. I was so embarrassed when my card kept getting declined though. And annoyed that they never emailed me because in my bank account setting I requested all such notifications to be sent via email not phone (mainly because I don't answer calls from numbers I don't know).

Also.. that's great n' all. But really doesn't help me know if someone used my iphone x to pay for things while bypassing all of apple's security features without needing me there prints/face) nor passcode..

I don't want to order a new phone until i know for sure. still a lot of money for me even with insurance.

Wish I could just access my icloud to find out where it last was so that i can know for sure if stolen. Almost the weekend I suppose, so I can always call back into the club when it opens tomorrow. But would have loved to be able to tell them "it was last here - still here."

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Answer 9

iPhoneXPat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2019 6:13 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Find my iphone was not enabled as I was locked out of my apple account and have to wait 5 days for them to confirm my identity so that i can finally access my icloud and find my iphone

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Answer 10

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Feb 21, 2019 4:11 PM in response to iPhoneXPat

How about some good news?

First, the bank has already protected you with regard to your debit card. If you also had credit cards stored in the iPhone AND YOU'RE IN THE U.S.A. the absolute maximum amount of fraudulent charges that you are responsible for is $50 (per incident per card). That's been federal law for some thirty years. Since that dollar figure has not increased with inflation, most credit cards today won't even hit you for that (it's not worth their trouble). I'm assuming that your credit rating is decent.

It's worthwhile contacting your credit card company(ies) anyway. They'll block all future transactions and send you a new card or cards.

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can people make purchases using stolen iphone x?

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