Apple Pay was hacked

Question

Level 1

14 points

Apple Pay was hacked

My Apple Pay was just used by a hacker to buy something ($570) at a Target in Phoenix. AMEX took care of it, but had no explanation of how it was done. Said it was not a typical problem. Anyone else have similar experiences.

Posted on Jun 5, 2020 8:02 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rysz

Level 8

44,455 points

Jun 5, 2020 11:32 AM in response to bigmac50

What it says on the charge is meaningless. It can be whatever the scammer wants it to be. Apple Pay uses a one-time token code which is only valid on your device. The merchant never sees your credit card number nor your personal info and doesn't know what device was used to send the payment.

Your credit card was compromised, that’s why Amex is replacing it and is so willing to cover the payment. You should take all the normal precautions when a card is compromised.

I’m assuming what happened is what’s described in this article, except instead of saying the bill came from iTunes.com, it said Apple Pay, which it never normally says on a valid invoice.

If you see apple.com/bill, itunes.com/bill, or an unfamiliar charge on your statement

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201382

Reply

Answer 2

bigmac50 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 6, 2020 11:08 AM in response to Rysz

I called Apple support and this is what I learned. Indeed, the Apple Pay charge probably occurred because my wife’s American Express card had been hacked. Her card is attached to mine. (By the way, on my American Express statements, anything that is paid for with Apple Pay is duly noted.) Also, in speaking with the Apple representative, she said that if your credit card is hacked, that they can play games with your Apple Pay. So basically, Apple Pay is full proof, unless your credit card account is hacked. Then all bets are off. Following the representatives advice, I change passwords on my main Apple account, Credit cards and all email accounts. It was a very busy afternoon. Thanks for your comments and ideas.

Reply

Answer 3

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,230 points

Jun 5, 2020 10:53 AM in response to bigmac50

Apple Pay cannot be hacked. Your credit card can be compromised but Apple Pay is merely a contactless way to pay.

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 5, 2020 11:38 AM in response to bigmac50

My apple pay apple card was hacked on june 24. I have been in contact with Goldman Sachs and they have responded but they tell me it can take up to 90 day to get resolved. To me this seems an excessive amount time for a resolution and return of my funds. I have changed the number and also locked the physical card. I will not be using this card. Perhaps Apple should use a different financial institution.

Reply

Answer 5

bigmac50 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 5, 2020 11:08 AM in response to Rysz

Nor have I. AMEX indicated it was an Apple Pay purchase and Apple Pay purchases are labeled as such on my American Express statement. AMEX covered the loss and the immediately sent me a new card. I’m just trying to get to the bottom this. I’m a frequent Apple Pay user and have always trusted the system. It would appear that someone has cracks the code.

Reply

Answer 6

Rysz

Level 8

44,455 points

Jun 6, 2020 11:41 AM in response to bigmac50

...Apple Pay is full proof, unless your credit card account is hacked. ...

One has nothing to do with the other. Hacking a credit card does not give anyone access to Apple Pay. As I noted before, the “merchant” can put anything they want in that field.

Reply