iTunes keeps asking to verify payment information

I also experience this same problem with my iPhone account where it is constantly re-verifying payment info even for free downloads. I was concerned that iPhone had fallen victim to phishing-ware, but apparently the problem is wide spread and Apple, in the best traditions of post-Fukushima GE, is simply ignoring the problem and hoping we will all get used to the new normal of having to re-enter and re-enter and re-enter and re-enter and re-enter and re-enter and re-enter and ....

So, I figure I'll make this bug public at my website and on my talk-radio show, if for no other reason to remind the holier-than-windows MAC crowd that Apple's software quality isn't what the TV ads say it is.

We had the same thing happen, I called our bank to make sure our card hadn't been hacked. I was told that the transaction was coming from New Jersey and they have had so many fraud cases coming out of there they have blocked all credit transactions they will only allow debit transactions.

OK my situation must be exceptionally picky. I've been searching on these support boards and more and tried literally every suggested solution I could find. Neither of my credit cards are working, nothing's showing up in my bank account, and I happen to work in my bank so it's easy for me to access stuff that others can't. I can't make any purchases (free or otherwise) on my MacBook Pro or brand new iPhone 4. Apple Tech Support has given me their usual spill about deleting my card info but obviously that doesn't work.

I purchased my iPhone 4 this past Saturday and encountered the billing info dilemma on the iTunes app. I synced my iPhone and went to the store and was able to download all the apps and music that I wanted at the time. I let it charge, disconnected it, and then the billing info problem got applied to my entire Apple Account and messed up everything. Now no matter what I do it keeps asking me to verify my billing info but says my address and stuff is all messed up. I've had this account for six years and I don't understand what's wrong with my billing address. It's never changed...

This is happening to me too. I am so tired of the poor software quality coming out fo Apple.

I think I've figured out the solution to my particular problem but it still doesn't help...

The billing address has to be exactly the same as what it says on your statement for whatever card you purchase with but it also has to be the same as the address on file for you at the USPS website. That's why people keep posting links to it for verifying your Zip Code.

"The issue might be that your billing address doesn't come up via the USPS website. If it doesn't appear there then it wouldn't work with our systems. Please ensure that your billing name and address matches exactly the address listed on your credit card statement. Any discrepancy in punctuation, abbreviation, or capitalization can cause errors, which might prevent you from purchasing from the iTunes Store. 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.

What you've been seeing is a new security measure that Apple has added to iTunes. Apple takes the security of your iTunes Store account very seriously. Basically, what will happen is any time you use your iTunes account from a new computer, Apple TV, or a new mobile device you will be required to verify your payment information and re-enter your CVV code. This is a safeguard designed to protect your account against unauthorized purchases.

Since this is the first time you're using your new iPhone 4, you'll need to confirm your account information, including the security code from your card."

My address comes up as unrecognizable for some reason with USPS so it looks like I"m SOL until I find a way around it...

http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

There's the link to USPS, hope that helps someone at least

The USPS address computer is a major pain the rear. It rejects addresses that do not conform to their standard even though the addresses are correct. Locally, the normal practice for condo addresses are number, unit, streetname. And that is the format we used on all our credit cards. But now the USPS insists we all change to Number, Street, Unit. Idf this new Apple Security system is tripping up over that, then we are all screwed unless we go through the process of changing number, unit, streetname to Number, Street, Unit.

Either the USPS has to be more forgiving of local address customs, or Apple's software has to be aware of this problem in flagging accounts, because it is a lot easier to switch to Androids than to go through the hassles of swap[ping two fields on all my credit cards. iPhone is supposed to make our lives easier and I will not tolerate any smart phone that makes my life more complicated.

I will be talking about Apple's stupidity on today's talk radio show.

I'm working right now with USPS to try and see if we can make any progress in this area. Hopefully we can get this junk out of the way and be closer to fixing the problem

I just wanted to thank you. This information helped me out greatly and I was able to access my updates.

I got ahold of USPS.

"Thank you for contacting the USPS Internet Customer Care Center. I apologize for the inconvenience you are experiencing and will be more than happy to help.

All information in our national ZIP+4® database is entered by a local Address Management System (AMS) office. You should contact your local AMS office and describe the problem to them. The AMS office will be able to make any necessary corrections to the national database. These corrections will be reflected in our ZIP+4 locator software. Any changes or corrections will be reflected in our lookup software on the WWW server within 30 - 60 days. To locate the local AMS office, please go to the following link:

http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/ams_office_locator.html"

If your address doesn't come up on there you can call the AMS office for your zip code and they'll help get everything sorted out on the USPS address computer. Once that's done, along with all the other stuff discussed in this thread, the problem should be pretty much taken care of.

Here is the solutions that worked for ME !!!

I noticed the same issue when I was updating the free apps!! it should not ask for billing info for free updates...not sure why it does!!!

What I did was, I first logged into iTunes and updated my previous credit card entry at the billing info. But inspite of entering the right security code, it kept saying that it is invalid...then I chose none for the card type where you choose for visa or master card etc...

then it only wanted me to enter the address and phone number...make sure you enter the same address and number that is in your iphone account...thats all...it worked.

Hope it works for you too...

I had the very same problem, but my Apps aren't updating (see my "iTunes not updating Apps") so I have been trying and trying and my bank account got frozzen due to over 100 £4.18 charges made in 2 hours.

All the Apps are free updates so why is my bank account showing £418.00 in total awaiting payment.

Now Apple may never take this money as it is just a "verify" at the moment but it is very worrying that £418.00 may be taken from my account by iTunes.

If this does happen I will be on to iTunes for the money back, but why does it do it in the first place.

I have had to go into the bank to get my account unfrozzen, and I still can't get the updates to work , so it may happen again if I keep clicking the update button.

As mentioned in the previous posts, I too was experiencing the same problem with verification. To fix this I called my bank and authorized Apple Inc to make verification requests for that day. When I went back to the verification it went right through. Hope this helps.

I am having the same problem I'm trying to update free apps. Why would I verify payment info for that! It only started today. No problems buying or updating before. Would love an answer from apple

thanks for the suggestions as my problem matched your description and frustration. I cleared the credit card payment from my mac and signed out of the store, then went to do the same from my iphone 4.. it asked for my CVV and then, also, insisted on my TITLE, i.e. Mr/Ms.. and it went through without having to also clear it! updated apps on the phone straight away. went back to Mac and it let me buy my wishlist without even signing in again!! Happy days. PS have used secure passwords with upper/lower/numeric for years so know it wasn't that issue...

Same issue here while trying to buy Lion. The store keeps asking for credentials to access Billing Information.

After reading this post I did 2 things:

1) authorize this computer in iTunes (after which problem was still there)

2) go to the App Store and view your account details (menu: Store | View This Account) and edit the credit card details. My security code was empty after the credit card number. I filled it in, left all other fields unchanged. Save... voila... now I can download again.

Hope this helps,

Kees