Purchasing iPhone online

Question

Level 1

14 points

Purchasing iPhone online

I am trying to purchase a new iPhone 12 mini to replace my iPhone 8. T-Mobile is my carrier. When I try to complete my purchase, Apple asks me for the Phone # and the SSN for the primary account holder at T-Mobile. When I put them in, I am told that the SSN does not match the Phone number. I have done this over many times and come up with the same result. I know this is the correct SSN that T-Mobile has. To fix this, should I go to Apple or T-Mobile? Is this a common problem with T-Mobile? This is all difficult to do online when the subject is a SSN and I am reluctant to go into a T-Mobile store during COVID.

iPhone 8

Posted on Feb 6, 2021 10:12 AM

Reply

Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Feb 8, 2021 6:40 PM in response to RicheseLord

Hello RicheseLord,

We understand you'd like to upgrade your iPhone 8 to an iPhone 12 mini, but you're running into issues online. If you'd like to purchase directly from Apple, contact via phone instead at 1 (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753).

If you'd like to purchase from your carrier, contact T-Mobile via phone to make your purchase - 1 (800) 937-8997.

Thanks for posting in the Apple Support Communities forum. Take care!

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

206,043 points

Feb 8, 2021 8:31 PM in response to RicheseLord

RicheseLord Said:

"Purchasing iPhone online: [...]Don’t like their terms."

-------

Provide Feedback:

Do your Part: Let Apple know of you non-liking of this method. Apple won't get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on something, the more they will know what is going on, and what needs to be fixed. I've submitted feedback on items, and have seen it fixed.

Go Here: Feedback - iTunes - Apple
Select: "Feature Improvement" for "I Have Feedback About"
Proceed from there as necessary

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Answer 3

RicheseLord Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 8, 2021 7:56 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

So true, but fortunately they only ask for the last 4 numbers. You have to give your full number to the cell carrier so they can check your credit rating. It’s suspicious that the carrier makes it difficult to buy a phone from Apple instead of them 🤨

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Answer 4

RicheseLord Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 8, 2021 8:01 PM in response to CarlAVII

Carl, thanks for the info but I called Apple on that line and all they did was connect me to the T-mobile line that I had previously called and got no satisfaction from because you can not discuss SSN over the phone or online. I was attempting to confirm that they had my correct SSN. Next stop is a T-Mobile store to endure the sales pitch to buy it from them. Don’t like their terms.

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Answer 5

Feb 8, 2021 6:43 PM in response to RicheseLord

No one should be asking for your social security number.

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Answer 6

KiltedTim

Level 10

231,174 points

Feb 8, 2021 6:46 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Unfortunately, the carriers tend to use the SSN as an identifier for the account-holder.

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Answer 7

Feb 8, 2021 6:48 PM in response to KiltedTim

What a bunch of bozos.

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Answer 8

deggie

Level 10

167,659 points

Feb 8, 2021 6:49 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

They are far from the only ones.

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Answer 9

Feb 8, 2021 6:55 PM in response to deggie

Forty years ago D.C. used them on a drivers license and the government was sued to change it.

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Answer 10

deggie

Level 10

167,659 points

Feb 8, 2021 6:56 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

So?

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Answer 11

ziaul242

Level 1

13 points

Feb 8, 2021 7:00 PM in response to KiltedTim

Charm account and android gmail account close,and logout

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Answer 12

Feb 8, 2021 7:00 PM in response to deggie

SSN is not supposed to be used as an identification.

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Answer 13

deggie

Level 10

167,659 points

Feb 8, 2021 7:02 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

They are using it for a credit check just like lots of credit cards, banks, etc. You do not have to supply it but they will then refuse to set up service. This is not illegal.

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