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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

Reply
242 replies

Jul 11, 2011 10:43 PM in response to whitby

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...

Jul 12, 2011 8:28 AM in response to whitby

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

Jul 12, 2011 9:05 AM in response to JP Weatherrman

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.

Jul 12, 2011 8:49 PM in response to whitby

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.

Jul 19, 2011 7:39 PM in response to whitby

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...

Jul 27, 2011 8:30 AM in response to whitby

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.

Aug 23, 2011 2:59 AM in response to whitby

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...

Aug 24, 2011 7:18 AM in response to whitby

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

Aug 25, 2011 11:21 AM in response to whitby

I was having this SAME problem with and iPod Touch 4th gen I just purchased. 😠 It was driving me crazy. I went through all of the suggestions I could find on here and although KithKanen mentioned "go to the App Store and view your account details (menu: Store | View This Account)" I still couldn't find how to do that (call me lame) 😉 but FINALLY this is exactly what I did that worked, which boils down to the same thing but here are the actual steps after you've synched your device and done all the obvious on the computer:


1. Go to 'Settings' on your device

2. Go to 'Store'

3. Touch your "Apple ID"

4. The options "View Apple ID" or "Sign Out" come up

5. Choose "View Apple ID"

6. Edit payment information

7. Your credit card verification number is most likely blank because it's a new device. Enter it. Click 'Done' (I think, can't see it now because it won't let me in)

8. Should be all good.


Now I will say that I've tried going back to it and that stupid box keeps popping up as if I didn't enter my password BUT I am now able to download and make purchases. I tried updating my address to make it match the USPS and Google maps, I entered my credit card verification online in the iTunes store while my ipod was synched to the CPU, I changed my password (which now requires one capital, one number, and lowercase. I never used the capital before and never had a problem on my iPhone so who knows but I changed it because I was at the end of my rope), I made sure it had a title chosen (i.e. Mrs.), and NONE OF THOSE worked. Or maybe they all worked in conjunction, who knows, but the final straw was what I listed above. Phew!

iTunes keeps asking to verify payment information

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