Unauthorized access to my Apple ID

I give up. It is amazing that no way exists to get of of this situation. And even more amazing that there is no way for me to get support help from Apple. At least in my country, a store that sold me something has to be possible to contact.

I don't personally need an apple account, I used it in December for buying a gift card to my girlfriend. I can't do that again, and I imagine that even if I should go through the trouble of creating a new account with a new e-mail address, I won't be allowed to use my bank card since it is already in use in the locked account. And that's the only card I have. So I guess I won't be buying her any more gift cards at Apple.

No that's not it. When I could not log in with my password I realized my account had been taken over. And this was confirmed (as if that was needed) when all 3 security questions were in Chinese!

In fact, the only explanation I can think of is that there's been a leak at Apple. Because as you can see, I have no holes in my security. I barely even use the account: Used it once in December, and before that in 2019.

It is even hard to post in this forum because it uses the same apple ID and then I have to say yes to "change to 2FA" then "cancel" in 3 steps to get here.

I have verified that there's been no surprising withdrawals in my bank using the bank card since yesterday. Still it would feel better to be able to log in and confirm I have no bank card "connected" to the apple ID, or even better delete the whole account. Some sites (especially bigger ones) suggest to the users that they allow the site to remember bank cards, which is a thing I don't like and say no to if I can but some sites are sneaky. Even if my current bank card was indeed "connected" I assume the intruder needs at least a code specific for the card which he/she does not have. Still.. Would feel better to delete the card or the account. Does not feel good that I can not see card status or any economical details or end the account.

Thanks for writing even if it doesn't help.

@Smilin-Brian: When I log in, I am immediately met by "Answer your security questions to continue." with two questions in Chinese. I get the only option "Reset Security Questions", and it is not even funny that this leads to the question "Answer Your Current Security Questions: Answer one of the questions you chose when you created your Apple ID" - again, 3 questions in Chinese, and now no other options, besides "Cancel" which signs me out...

@Eric Root: Those are just general info pages, it doesn't help solving my problems.

In retrospect I am asking myself: How was it so easy for the intruder to change the security questions? The first warning e-mail from Apple said someone changed the security questions & answers. And (this is a laugh) it said that if I didn't do this myself then I should go to https://appleid.apple.com and change password - well of course, that's that I did as soon as I got these warnings, but that advice doesn't help me to fix the security questions! Stupid "security questions" why even have such a system? And why is it impossible for me to change the security questions when it was so easy for the intruder?

The 2nd warning was a change of password, and the 3rd warning was change of birth date. All have the same time stamp in my e-mail client (to the minute). But if I open the source code for each message, the "Received:" time stamp for the 2nd message is 5 secs after the 1st, and the 3rd is 4 secs after the 2nd. Maybe I can't trust this to reflect exactly the spacing between when they were sent, but if it does, then he/she was very quick at typing..

I also wonder a bit what the point is to take over an apple ID, assuming the intruder can't purchase anything unless he has bank card codes too, then what can he/she gain?

Does anyone from Apple read this page? Or is there any way to get in contact with them?

Well thanks for trying Brian but still nothing is of help to me.

1-800 sounds like a US number (based on Hollywood movies I've seen..) and I'm in Europe.

Never heard of "Messages", google tells me it is an Apple app. I don't have Apple products.

Checking European ways of contact by phone or chat it seems to be only for paid-for HW support.

[Edited by Moderator]

Hi. No I hadn't enabled 2FA. I rarely use the account. If I try to enable it now, I am asked to answer one of the Chinese security questions before I am allowed to do it..