Continuously getting fraud alerts for $119.99 every time I purchase an apple product. Going insane.

It was trying to bill me through this weird 3rd party way.

Ah! Good find. Yes, we have the EU and U.S. courts to thank for that. Apple's system was set up to try and prevent exactly what you're seeing.

For whatever reason, the courts decided they should be able to tell a company how to run their own business and forced them to allow sales outside of the App Store. Because of that, users now see charges (repeating or not) without seeing any notice of them in their Apple account because the 3rd party company charges the user directly.

A very common one we saw here for a while (don't know if it's still going) was a site that offered mystic readings for free, a dollar, or some cheap amount. However, once you signed up to get the cheap/free reading, they would start billing your credit every month for something like $24.95. All without it showing in your Apple account purchases. Needless to say, it wasn't easy to figure out how to cancel the subscription you were never told would start.

It seems the real work is going to be to try and figure out who is charging your account every time you purchase a movie. Even after you get a new card. Which very strongly suggests it is somehow connected to your AppleTV. When you update the credit card info for the AppleTV, the 3rd party also automatically gets included.

I am speculating there, but something is hooked to your AppleTV purchases that shouldn't be.

So now that I know it's an Apple billing issue…

You contradict yourself:

I've tried looking at my billing statements on my Apple account and of course there is no charge pending

I can't be Apple, and not be Apple at the same time. Charges from apple.com/bill are legitimate. What you're seeing sounds like one of the many fraudulent charge lines crooks use to try and get you to overlook their scam.

The interesting part is that they appear (only?) when you make a $3.99 charge on your AppleTV. Something is triggering another charge that is not coming from Apple. But what?

To name a couple of possibilities, your router may be compromised. Your Apple account may have an unknown device attached to it.

For the latter, (if you have any of these), open System Settings on a Mac, or Settings on an iPhone or iPad. Click on your name at the top. Do you see and any devices listed you don't recognize?

Your first step is to try to identify the reason for, and source of, any charges. They may be perfectly valid charges you simply do not recognize. In the case of emails or messages there is the possibility they are not real at all (phishing attempts).

The support article https://support.apple.com/108092 and the related article https://support.apple.com/120164 explain how you can check your iTunes and App Stores purchase history, cancel subscriptions (remember that these need to be canceled at least 24 hours in advance), and track possible sources of unrecognized Apple charges you may see on a bill. These may be purchases by Family Sharing members, others sharing your card (such as a spouse or partner, or a second Apple Account you have; you may not see a receipt).

The article also provides a specific link for contacting Apple if you cannot trace the source of charges, e.g., if you subscribed to something directly with a third party, see: https://support.apple.com/118126 instead. In that case you need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple. See also: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256198931

If you use Apple Card you may find this document helpful too ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT210618

Also note this service: https://support.apple.com/HT209592

"When you sign in to your financial institution website or mobile app and view your recent purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books, or for Apple Music or iCloud services, you may see an option—such as View Receipt—that allows you to view more details about your transaction."

Other possibilities to consider (not all may apply in your situation):

● If you see duplicate subscription charges on a card but only one in your Apple subscriptions list, you may have subscribed once in-app through Apple and a second time directly with the vendor on their web site (e.g., YouTube). Cancel one of your subscriptions. The same can happen if you have two Apple Accounts.

● Purchases can be made with your account if your Apple Account is compromised (read what to do ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT204145 ) or somebody else has access to your device (require a purchase password as explained in this article ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT204030 ).

● If you only see a charge in emails or texts that are not official Apple receipts, it is likely phishing attempts (see the article: https://support.apple.com/HT204759 ).

● If neither you, nor Apple, nor a Family Sharing member can account for a charge and it ONLY appears on a bill for a charge card you alone control, you may have been the victim of card fraud. Contact your financial institution immediately. Any reimbursement would have to come from them, not Apple. More here —> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256173521?answerId=261653382022&sortBy=oldest_first#261653382022

● Small amounts of ~$1 may be an authorization hold that will be refunded (pending charge ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT201292 ).

● Unanticipated amounts may be grouped charges ( https://support.apple.com/HT201359 ).

If using Family Sharing and viewing purchase history under Report A Problem, make sure the “Apple ID” box is set to “All.” If a purchase is listed in your purchase history and you want to ask for a refund, read this article about how to request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT204084 Remember that many apps have trial periods with subscriptions that then start automatically unless you cancel them in time. If a Family Sharing member made the purchase then you need to discuss this with that person. They would have to initiate any refund request.

If a reporting a problem request is unsuccessful or you have another issue you can also speak with Apple ➞ https://support.apple.com/choose-country-region

Select your country (if you do not see your country, also look for "other" regions; e.g., "Other Africa"), then "Choose a product". Click the "show" item under each category for more selections. 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:

Contact Apple for support and service ➞ "See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world."

Click here ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT201232

No need to shout.

Again, I do not work for Apple. I am just somebody sitting at home helping people with Apple problems instead of going downstairs and washing the dishes.

Call Apple about this. I provided contact methods at the end of my post.

Thanks for apologizing (people don't realize we are just here out of the goodness of our hearts!) and thanks for telling us what was going on (it was indeed one of the first things I suggested checking ;-) ). We learn from what users tell us.

Okay, now I do have to go and wash the dishes.

You're welcome. I hope those steps stop the charges. Please let us know if it did, and what the solution was. Such info can help other users who find themselves in the same situation.