How can I request a refund on charges for an app that I did not authorize?

Here's how to request an app or media refund from Apple (From: Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support - see the article for more detail.)

1. Sign in to https://reportaproblem.apple.com

2. Tap or click "I'd like to," then choose "Request a refund."

3. Choose the reason why you want a refund, then choose Next.

4. Choose the app, subscription, or other item, then choose Submit.

If you were charged for a subscription that you no longer want, you can also cancel the subscription using the directions in this article --> If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support

The people responding on this support forum are users like you and we only know what Apple says in its documentation and what our own and other users' experience tells us. Apple does not have much on its criteria for refusing refunds. Here are two sections from Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions - Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple

- "All Transactions are final."

I understand this as meaning Apple is starting from a point where any refund is considered an exception. They can simply say no without having to provide a reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.

- "From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim."

You can see if the terms are different for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple select your location and then your language.

If you feel you want to discuss a refund request, try to contact a live person using a telephone or chat request.

Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

"See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world." Click here --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

You may wish to mitigate the pattern:

Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases

Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases - Apple Support

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If the purchases were made from your Apple ID, either or both your Apple ID and your passcode have been compromised. If that happens, everything about your Apple ID has been compromised. All passwords saved, all trusted devices, all mail accounts, everything. Start fixing all of that.

Alternatively, you made the purchases, but don’t remember making them. Yes, that happens to some of us. I’ve worked with a few people with exactly that experience.

If you are making the purchases and then want refunds, that’s just not going to happen. Apple may choose to refund some or all, but that willingness to refund may or may not persist, entirely at the discretion of Apple.

If the purchases are not from any of your Apple IDs, and are not shown on any of your bills or subscriptions for any of your Apple IDs, then your payment card has likely been compromised, and you will want to report that compromise directly to your financial provider.

wvjohnny59 wrote:

I need a refund for a charge I did not make!

If the purchases were made from your Apple ID, then either or both your Apple ID and your device passcode(s) have been compromised. If that happens, everything about your Apple ID has been compromised. All passwords saved, all trusted devices, all mail accounts, everything. Start fixing all of that.

Alternatively, you made the purchases, but don’t remember making them. Yes, that happens to some of us. I’ve worked with a few people with exactly that experience.

If you are making the purchases and then want refunds, you can request a refund from Apple. If purchases are thousands of dollars (as was mentioned in the thread above), refunds would seem unlikely. Apple may choose to refund some or all, but that willingness to refund may or may not persist, entirely at the discretion of Apple.

If the purchases are not from any of your Apple IDs, and are not shown on any of your bills or subscriptions for any of your Apple IDs, then your payment card has likely been compromised, and you will want to report that compromise directly to your financial provider.

The first clause above means basically Apple can refuse or grant any refund it wishes to. There may be criteria it uses but we don't know what they are except for the bits they say about abuse. For example, it could be if you ask for a lot of refunds they may start getting suspicious. For many things Apple has no way of "taking back" something you purchased, so if you ask for a lot of refunds they could be thinking you are abusing the system - or so I suppose.

I need a refund for a charge I did not make!