Credit Card is Declined

I don't know if this will work for anyone else but it worked for me. I was getting the same "your credit card was declined" message that everyone else was getting. This was going on for about 4 or 5 days. I even tried using an iTunes store gift card and still got the message.

Anyway, I turned on my old laptop that I rarely use and opened up iTunes on it. I went to the app store and downloaded a free app on it and noticed that I no longer got the error. I immediately went back to my normal laptop that I use for everything, opened up iTunes, and purchased an app with no problem. It fixed the problem for me.

I'm using Paypal too and got the same message 2 days ago. I can't even get updates. I thought of deleting my payment information by setting it to 'none' and each time i hit done it gives me this stuppid message " your credit card was declined" and it does not save the changes.

Here is the response I received about my similar Paypal problem. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me, but maybe you will have better luck.

"Due to high volume of customer requests, we were unable to process you request within the committed time frame. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the delay in response.

I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've experienced while attempting to set up your iTunes Store account to use PayPal as its payment method.

I urge you to try using your operating system's default web browser when setting up a new or existing iTunes Store account to use this method of payment. The problem is occurring when you click the Return to Merchant link with an incompatible browser.

If you continue to experience problems after trying this alternative, you may wish to contact PayPal to be sure your account has been properly verified according to their records.

PayPal
http://www.paypal.com/

Please accept my sincerest apologies once again in regards to the issue and I really appreciate your understanding for the same. Thank you for being part of our iTunes family and wish you a wonderful day ahead!"

I downloaded the latest iTunes yesterday hoping it will fix the problem but it did not.
Today I logged in on iTunes and (out of habit I guess) I tried to purchase the latest Psych - and IT WORKED. It has nothing to do with what I did, I am sure, but with their tweaking the system. Probably the 2 emails I sent helped. I am sure they had to unblock something on my account. In any case I am really relieved it (finally) works.

I have same problem here in Beijing. started happening since late August like everyone else. Contacted support and got the same boilerplate response. Tried VPN to get an US IP address and everything works. I use VPN Express from Appstore. performance is not good from where I am but at least I can now buy stuff. Turn off VPN and the same problem reappears. Consistently duplicated. This seems to be a store back end issue and is deliberate. we all need to raise our voice and demand Apple to respond. I am fine if they announce that this is an added "security" to prevent improper distribution of content license geographically. We just all have to live with VPN or proxy to bypass such rules. This is normal in China since it's the only way to get to Facebook and Twitter.

This issue hit me today. Everything has been fine on my iPad for weeks, and then coincidently today I got a iphone and as I was veryifying my details, the card declined message came up.

Oh well, lucky there wasn't anything really important I wanted. Just setting up really.

Same issue here. Have spend 4 hours this morning uninstalling, reinstalling, trying all credit cards over and over. What a waste of my time. Sent an email to support, but not holding my breath. Will be watching this thread to see if a fix comes about.

I just noticed as well that this is a US issue.....I'm in UK, confirmed with bank that its not a card problem, and all was working well before I tried to verify details on the iphone....now.....nothing.

Email sent to apple, we'll see what they say!

Another user - same problem - started September 3rd. I'm on a 3 month assignment in Europe - worked fine on the 2nd when I purchased an app - but starting yesterday - no go - tried all the suggestions - but I can't even download a "free" app - I get - credit card declined - on a FREE app. Interesting. Sent an email - hope it gets resoved.

I FINALLY after over a week, and many e-mails back and forth between support, after filing report, got satisfaction just now. Yesterday I got an e-mail that said they had fixed the problem with my account and to try again in 24 hours. I waited until this afternoon, and the first attempt would not take. But, the second did. So, hopefully, I'm good to go. Apparently, from reading the posts here, each account impacted by this glitch has to be reset individually. Some get reset quicker than others. Good luck.

Jon

Oh thank god i am not the only one with this problem. It started with me on Saturday (aug 28) and still, no solution.
I live in the border with the USA so i’ve been using my itunes account with a USA debit card and then it started with that **** declined CC problem =S
The funny thing is that i’ve been trying to change countries, setting my account to Mexico and it would still say that the CC are declined. Tried 2 USA cards and 2 Mexican cards, no results =S

Wanna read something funny. I even tried to create a brand new account based in Mexico, with another email address and it still wouldn’t let me, tells me my cards are not valid……..the **** apple!!! i cannot update any app and i just got my iphone 4 on friday last week and i am dying to try new apps.

So far I’ve sent 2 emails and still no **** solution. At least i am not alone =’(

I got a reply from Apple today *but my issue has still not been resolved.*

*My name is Jinelle from iTunes Store Support again. I understand that not being able to access your iTunes account can be bothersome. I would feel the same way if I were in this situation. I really do apologize for the delay but, I can assure you that the issue has been escalated and will be investigated.*

*We're experiencing higher volumes than normal due to new product releases and features for the iTunes Store. Please be assured however, that Apple is working toward a resolution of the issue with your account.*

*I know that your time is valuable and I appreciate your patience. Your experience with the iTunes Store is of the utmost importance. Please understand that this investigation could take several days but, the effort to get this issue resolved for you as quickly as possible is very important.*

Sincerely,

*Jinelle (Charlotte, NC)*
*iTunes Store Advisor*
*Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST (Tues - Sat)*
* http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww*

*Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you. You may receive an*
*AppleCare survey email; any feedback you provide would be greatly*
appreciated.

*Please note: Some e-mail providers may filter responses from AppleCare as*
*spam or junk mail. Please check your spam or junk folders to ensure you*
*receive a reply to your response.*

And the list keeps going on and on...One more iTunes veteran without access to the store due to CC issues on Apple's side. BTW this is 2nd time is happening in 1 year! It is becoming ridiculous. I have no problem being beholden on my iMac, Macbook, AppleTV, iPods, and iPad to Apple (I have 6 devices feeding off my iTunes account in the family), but Apple lets get it right.

In the past Apple Customer Support would scan the forum and try and escalate issues, respond to our concerns, etc. But that was then, and this is now. Apple is growing and they could give a s@#%$$t about you and I, there's always another willing to pay them...(unless they get the same "Credit Card declined" issue...and btw PayPal is being declined as well!).

What can I say, bravo Apple!

Same as everybody else. I live in Hong Kong and am using a US based account. Quite annoying, especially since this problem apparently happened last November to a bunch of people and it seems to have recurred.

Same - live in HK, US credit cards, checked with card company, no record of a decline. Arrived in Singapore this eve on business. Not surprised, did not work. I'll be in US by friday night, wonder what will happen?