Level 2

198 points

iTunes keeps asking to verify payment information

I am using 9.2.1 (although this problem started with iTunes 9.2 sometime) and iTunes keeps asking me to verify my payment information whether I am using my iPhone, iPad or my iMac. I verify and the transaction goes ahead. It does not matter whether it is a free update for an App on my iPad or iPhone or purchasing music or a TV Show on my iMac. The error message is that a transaction has taken place on a new device or computer and that it needs to verify my payment information.

The verification lists my card data and address etc. correctly but I need to keep entering the card security number.

Support keep telling me to delete and re-enter my car info which does not help. Anyone else seen this issue?

Seems to be something to do with a new security check they have put in the system that does not work correctly and support is totally incapable of helping me out.

iMAC 24" 2.8 Ghz, iMAC 17" G5, iPad, iPhone 4, MB Po, MB Air,PC, Mac OS X (10.6.4), Linux, W 7, Vista and XP Pro, W 2008 server

Posted on Jul 20, 2010 8:55 PM

242 replies

whitby Author

Level 2

198 points

Jul 27, 2010 9:02 PM in response to Tylko

Thanks. I had seen this info before and the computer I use to sync my iPad, iPhone and Apple TVs is logged into the iTunes store account I use. Your suggestion was helpful.

Unfortunately the problem is that it appears to forget that a computer, device and whatever have been verified. If it worked as per the article you cite, it would be OK. But it does not. Once you change devices for a purchase and verify the account with that device, the original device is forgotten and you have to re-verify again and again and again etc. etc. Quite tedious.

Also Apple support no longer respond, so all in all I believe that Apple's fix is somewhat intrusive and makes the whole iTunes purchase experience a disaster.

From what I can see Apple are not in the least interested in solving the problem and have left their support people out to dry. Or maybe, in typical Apple style, they are looking into it and not telling anyone....

Anyway, until they fix it, I am done with Apps, iTunes the lot. Too much trouble and I am fed up with being treated like an idiot by Apple. Unfortunately I one person in millions so I am irrelevant. I also know 7 people now who are having the same problem and some of them were newbies to Apple. One even went back to Frys and returned his iMac..... The Amazon purchasing experience is a lot better. I can use my Kindle and purchase stuff from any computer without having to go through this.

And so it goes....

Jul 28, 2010 9:33 PM in response to whitby

I have this same problem. I recently purchased the iPhone4. I contacted Apple support about it twice. The first time they talked with billing and had my credit card information removed, then had me add it back and it actually worked for a couple of hours, then started doing it again. The second time I called, they told me this was a known issue and to set my payment method to "none" and I would be able to download free apps and get updates but could not purchase anything. I was told my name was put on a list and I would be emailed when there was a fix. Can you believe that! What about app developers? the must be losing money over this. I would think some kind of agreements are being broken between developers and iTunes.

So seems Apple have dropped yet another ball with iPhone 4. By the way with the 3G I never had these isses in two years time...

flig

Level 1

8 points

Jul 29, 2010 6:06 AM in response to whitby

I am also having the same problem and it's driving me crazy! I previously used my visa debit for itunes purchases and thought it was due to a problem with my bank - even though every transaction went through after entering in the verification pin. I switched to my AMEX to see if that would resolve the issue and same problem! Every time I make a purchase with my iphone, ipad or apple tv - same BS.

GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND APPLE AND GET A FIX FOR THIS ASAP!

whitby Author

Level 2

198 points

Jul 29, 2010 6:56 PM in response to flig

What is intriguing about this is that they have completely broken the Apple TV, since it does not show a screen to verify payment info. I have to go back to a computer to verify payment. The Apple TV will no longer work without being attached to a computer, something they claim is possible.

The problem for me has got worse.

I have stopped using any other device other than my iMac to make purchases but every single time I make a purchase it requires me to verify payment.

Apple have done absolutely nothing to solve the issue and their support continue to ask silly questions and give irrelevant help.

I appreciate all the other posts showing that a number of people have the same problem, but I fear that Apple have no answer, at least if their support is representative of their understanding and action on this problem.

vern0159

Level 1

4 points

Jul 30, 2010 2:55 PM in response to whitby

Same here - I have one iTunes account and 3 devices; iPod touch (2) and iPad. When I use just one exclusively for downloading updates or purchases, it seems to work just fine. But I regularly update one device and then go update the other. When I do that, the last device I use prompts me for the "verify your payment info" due to a "new device" having been used recently. When I'm sitting at the computer and do this via iTunes "payment info" link, the update on the device works just fine. But what a PITA this is 😟 Common Apple, fess up and fix it - now!!!

whitby Author

Level 2

198 points

Jul 30, 2010 7:24 PM in response to vern0159

Apple have finally let me know that, and to quote:

"Apple is currently working toward a resolution for the issue you have reported. You will receive an email after the matter has been investigated and further information is available."

which appears to be identical to a message one of the other posters had from Apple. In other words they recognise that there MAY be a problem....

Let's see what happens.

Jul 30, 2010 9:11 PM in response to whitby

I am having the same problem for weeks now...it is driving me crazy...I have 54 free updates on my phone..but I can't get thru. It asks me for verification and I enter the code then it says my password is incorrect or it will act like it is going to update and starts the quiz all over again. It has nothing to do with my device or my bank card. It is itunes. Then if I go to itunes on my pc it says I have same updates but when I click on get updates it says there are none for this account. I downloaded a few manually and that seemed to work but it is ridiculous to have to do that 54 times! I am really unhappy about the newest update and this problem...apple get these things fixed NOW! Thank you.

Jul 31, 2010 7:52 AM in response to whitby

I have had the same problem today. I changed my banks recently and have now closed the other account so was updating the card details to the new one and it just keeps saying that they are invalid and were declined. Was starting to get very angry, so contacted my bank and they said there was no issue with the card (I sort of already knew this as I had made an earlier transaction online and it went through fine).
I wasn't aware of the $1 issue. Does this apply for people in the UK too? I havent been asked to put my security code in either when d/loading new apps so not sure about any of this. I'm just getting annoyed now and frustrated that there is no one I can actually talk to.
Do you think they will do a new update when these issues have been fixed?

Aug 1, 2010 10:51 AM in response to whitby

After many days of frustration, I finally was able to resolve this issue. I called Apple and because I have AppleCare, they were willing to help me with this problem. It took talking to several people, moving up the seniority ladder, until finally the problem was solved by the iTunes account people. They had to go in and manually reset my billing info. Problem solved. I suggested that they take a look at these forums because so many people are having this problem. So call 'em up, there is a fix. Don't give up hope.

Aug 1, 2010 6:44 PM in response to bmintzer7

Thank you for the "hope" I also have Apple care and will call them in the am...I appreciate the feedback very much. 🙂

gavdana

Level 1

5 points

Aug 1, 2010 6:52 PM in response to whitby

I posted a "me too" a while back, and now it seems some folks are having limited luck with AppleCare. Any ideas how to work the phone-branch for those of use who didn't buy AppleCare?

grdh20

Level 1

84 points

Aug 3, 2010 12:37 PM in response to whitby

Apple is taking this security thing a bit to far. It won't even allow firefox to save the password and user info for this forum login. Anyway, I think Apple is doing this to discourage sharing apps, etc. between accounts. Also if your credit card gets too many of those $1 charges in a short period of time, they will often put a hold on your visa until you call in and verify it with them. Happened to me. In any vase I never had this issue with the iphone 3gs or 3 or 2, just since the 4 for some reason.

grdh20

Level 1

84 points

Aug 4, 2010 8:14 AM in response to whitby

I worked more on this last night and what I found is that if you have any "shared" app on your iphone that has been purchased by another itunes account id, and that app is in the app store updates list, you will be cycled through the verify account session until you either delete that app and start over, even if you try to update a single app that is on the correct acct while another app with a different acct is in the app updates list, or you log into itunes on your computer and log in and out of the 2 different itunes accounts while doing in computer app updates and then re-sync your iphone. It is a royal pain in the butt. I ended up deleting most of the shared apps on the iphone to avoid the hassle of having to update apps via computer since on the iphone it would be much harder to switch itunes account id's back and forth.

Basically I think Apple has enabled this to cut down on stolen apps and maybe even to discourage app sharing. In most cases it isn't worth the $1 an app cost to have this hassle. maybe if they get enough complaints they will ease up on this.

whitby Author

Level 2

198 points

Aug 4, 2010 10:11 AM in response to grdh20

Unfortunately I do not have the same issue. All my apps, music, tv shows etc. were purchased with the same account.

As of this point in time, my account is still not functioning correctly and I still have to verify card payment information for any purchases and updates made on all or nay of my devices. It does not matter whether I stick with one device e.g. my iMac or not. All are using the same account and payment information.

Gogo001

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2010 4:25 AM in response to whitby

Same problem here, extremely annoying.

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iTunes keeps asking to verify payment information