You are refusing to allow me to update my apps because you say there is a billing issue from a prior purchase allegedly made by me. This seems suspect business practices on your behalf. First I don’t have any notice of any prior billing issues.

If a message says 'billing problem with previous purchase' or 'verification required'

If a message says 'billing problem with previous purchase' or 'verification required' - Apple Support

• If these messages appear, you might be unable to make purchases, download free apps, or use subscriptions. To fix the issue, change your payment method. If you can't change your payment method, you can redeem a gift card and use the balance to pay for any unpaid orders.

Sign in to your Apple ID account page and edit / update your Apple ID details -> https://appleid.apple.com                                                     

• On the Sidebar click Payment methods -> then tap Payments Methods and tap Manage payment method.

Or see -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

• If you want to change your card, you need to add first the new card, then remove the old card.
• or if you use your Apple Account balance, you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment.

If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple Account balance, It would take about 1 to 3 business days in order to process.

If you're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.

You can have a credit card / debit card on file and an Apple Account balance.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.

Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.

See also the following Apple articles:

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card.

If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.

Remove a payment method from your Apple ID -> Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support

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If you can't remove a payment method

If you have subscriptions like iCloud+, have an unpaid balance, or you use purchase sharing, you must keep at least one payment method on file.

• Do you have a subscription? You can cancel iCloud+ and cancel other subscriptions from Apple. When your subscription period is over, remove your payment method.
• If you're in a Family Sharing group and you use purchase sharing, the family organizer must have a payment method on file. If you're the family organizer, turn off purchase sharing, then remove the payment method.
• If you have an unpaid balance, you might not be able to remove a payment method. Instead, change your payment method.
• If you still can't remove a payment method, contact Apple Support.

If you have followed all the steps and instructions and if you still need help, get support from Apple directly -> Get Support or call Apple in your region see -> Contact Apple for support and service or check -> here for more support and assistance.

Hello ~ We are fellow forum members like yourself and not Apple Support. In this case go to lower left and click on Support or …

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Go through this with Apple as we have no access to your account. Take care!

~Katana-San~