stereocourier

Q: iTunes store account hacked

I'm posting this just to share my story and get reactions. It's a little detailed but I thought worth sharing.

On November 23, 2010 I purchased a single song from the iTunes store for .99. I used store credit that I had from a gift card I received last year. It was the first purchase I had made since July 2010.

On November 25, 2010 I received a receipt for 2 more separate orders to my account. These were for over $50 in iPhones apps. Here's a sampling of some of the purchases:

1 eREAD isoshu, v1.5, Seller: ChengDu YueTong Internet Information Co. Ltd (17+)
2 Plants vs. Zombies, v1.3, Seller: PopCap Games, Inc. (iDP)
3 Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge, v1.1, Seller: Lucasfilm International Services Inc.
4 Asphalt 5, v1.2.6, Seller: Gameloft (9+)
5 Let's Golf!® 2, v1.0.1, Seller: Gameloft (4+)
6 Frames & FX for Photos, v2.5.1, Seller: Imikimi, LLC (12+)
7 Stenches: A Zombie Tale of Trenches, v1.0.1, Seller: Thunder Game Works (9+)

I do not have a credit card linked to my account, so these were made using my store credit.

I have only 1 computer authorized for my account (my personal home computer). I live alone and no one else touches my Powerbook but me. I also DO NOT own an iPhone, so I would have no interest in apps.

After I saw these bizarre purchases, I checked my account. I noticed 2 strange things: My account information had changed: My street address was correct, but city, state and zip had changed to: Towson, MD 21286-7840. I have never lived in Maryland. Also, I noticed that my password recovery answer had changed to "Murray" in response to a question about my mother's maiden name. That's decidedly NOT my mother's maiden name. Also, my birthdate had changed to an incorrect month and day.

I immediately changed my password and my recovery question/answer challenge.

I reported problems on all of these purchases and also contacted iTunes Account Support by e-mail.

Within 24 hours I received an e-mail from "Vicki" at iTunes Customer Support. She wrote:

"When reviewing over your account "name@domain.net" and the two reported orders, it shows that the content purchased within them was acquired from the computer that is currently authorized for your iTunes account. So I strongly advise that you do consult with those in your household regarding the purchases made, and the charges that resulted from those purchases."

Further:

"I have gone and reversed the charges for the two orders....You will see a store credit in three to five business days....Please note that this is a one-time exception, as the iTunes Store Terms and Conditions state that all sales are final."

I am pleased that Apple is refunding my store credit and replied so quickly.

However, it is simply impossible that these purchases were made from my computer. Again, my Powerbook is the only computer I have ever authorized to access my account, and I am the only person with access to it.

I am not sure how this happened. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 28, 2010 3:45 PM

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Q: iTunes store account hacked

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  • by lewisfromprenteg,

    lewisfromprenteg lewisfromprenteg Aug 22, 2011 6:22 AM in response to Peddlewin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 6:22 AM in response to Peddlewin

    So all you did was change your password and your account was enabled again?? I've changed mine a few times now and nothings changed. Emailed them 4 times without response (apart from receiving a refund) so have no idea when/how my account is to be enabled again?!?

  • by plben,

    plben plben Aug 22, 2011 6:46 AM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 6:46 AM in response to stereocourier

    Same thing JUST happened to me. about 100$ stolen. I only have 2 accounts authorized and I'm 100% it's not "someone I know".

     

    That's scary. Where can I contact Apple about that? Exactly?

     

    Thanks

  • by lewisfromprenteg,

    lewisfromprenteg lewisfromprenteg Aug 22, 2011 6:53 AM in response to plben
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 6:53 AM in response to plben

    http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact.html?form=account&topic=iTunes%20Sto re%20Account%20and%20Billing

     

    That's the best address form to use. Remember to check your spam box for replies.....as I just realised I had received 3 replies but they were all in my spam!douche

  • by Sandy W,

    Sandy W Sandy W Aug 22, 2011 7:01 AM in response to plben
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 7:01 AM in response to plben

    @lewisfromprenteg

     

    The answer you'd like is only 6 or 7 posts up. You need to reply to an email from Apple Customer Support that was sent to you regarding this requestin your account be re-enabled AND:

     

     

    when you wish to re-enable it, please reply to this email with the following information:

     

    1) The complete billing address listed on the account, and

     

    2) One of the following:

     

    - the order number of your most recent authorized purchase

    - the name of any item you've purchased using this iTunes account

  • by Shelbo,

    Shelbo Shelbo Aug 22, 2011 9:51 AM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 9:51 AM in response to stereocourier

    I just made my own thread concerning this issue, but I was hacked just last night.

    The fraud app dowloaded to my account was called Kingdom Conquest from SEGA.

    It shows in my purchase history and everything.

    My password was changed as well, but nothing else was touched.

    My credit care information has also been wiped.

    I already called my credit card company and they put a watch out on my account, and so far nothing weird has been charged.

     

    I can't believe this. I can't even speak to a live person about this issue. We have to go through days and days of emails to get this settled. My acount balance being wiped isn't even the height of my concern, it's that the hacker has ALL of my information. Credit card, first and last name, street adress and phone number.

    The only thing Apple can do is replace the money lost. Now some crazy theif out there has all my crucial information! I'm furious!

  • by lewisfromprenteg,

    lewisfromprenteg lewisfromprenteg Aug 22, 2011 9:59 AM in response to Shelbo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 9:59 AM in response to Shelbo

    This is a section of the email I received from the apple support team. It has kinda reassured me about my card details.

     

    "I would also like to address your question about your credit card. First of all please know that your full credit card number and the 3-digit security code from the back of the card are never visible on your iTunes account.  Also, our credit card security guidelines require that when using a new computer or device on an account, the three digit security code from the card must be entered as proof that the user of the computer or device is the card owner.  It does appear that in your case that what happened was whoever accessed your account perhaps knew they would be unable to use your credit card for funds because of this security measure and simply selected "None" as the billing type in your account page.  This removed your credit card and gave them access to use your store credit.  Unfortunately we are unable to require the same steps with store credit but this does create added security for credit cards."

     

    Hope this eases some worries

  • by elissafromglen burnie,

    elissafromglen burnie elissafromglen burnie Aug 22, 2011 3:06 PM in response to lewisfromprenteg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 3:06 PM in response to lewisfromprenteg

    I emailed them on Friday and got a responce within the hour.  After I gave them information that they needed, I was reimbursed within a couple of hours.  They are very quick and didn't ask questions!  Very friendly and eager to help.  Good marks for customer service for them! 

  • by bdellasc,

    bdellasc bdellasc Aug 22, 2011 7:43 PM in response to Sandy W
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2011 7:43 PM in response to Sandy W

    "1) The complete billing address listed on the account, and

     

    2) One of the following:

     

    - the order number of your most recent authorized purchase

    - the name of any item you've purchased using this iTunes account"

     

    Can others who have had their accounts re-enabled verify they had to answer those questions? I'm super paranoid now that I've been dealing with people posing as Apple's Customer Support?!?

     

    It looks like I've been refunded, but I just have an uneasy feeling about this whole thing.

  • by joanrich,

    joanrich joanrich Aug 24, 2011 8:17 AM in response to bdellasc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 24, 2011 8:17 AM in response to bdellasc

    Yes this is from Apple Support!

     

    "1) The complete billing address listed on the account, and

     

    2) One of the following:

     

    - the order number of your most recent authorized purchase

    - the name of any item you've purchased using this iTunes account"

  • by aircool,

    aircool aircool Aug 24, 2011 9:10 AM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 24, 2011 9:10 AM in response to stereocourier

    Yes the request for billing address followed by a recent purchase is legit', however it took me 18 days and TWELVE emails until my account was re-enabled, disgusting... The first rep I dealt with was next to useless, sorry Amadeus but your colleague sorted my account within 24 hours, you stopped answering my email after 10 days of frustration (mine).

     

    Apple need to come clean admit to and deal with the problem, the total lack of telephone support when a customer is trying to deal with a case of fraud is not acceptable. I for one will actively encourage everybody I know to steer clear of Apple and their products, shame really, I had this years Xmas presents already lined up 3 x IPad but I have now scrapped that idea.

     

    I have an HTC Desire and a IPhone 4 (free upgrade with Vodafone), I accept that the IPhone is more "glossy" but it is so restricted, I have come to prefer the diversity of Android and am quite prepared to endure the rather 'raw' aspects of an Android tablet.

     

    For those Apple 'purists' I can no longer agree that Apple has an edge in the market, I think that they are a victim of their own success, they no longer view us as customers but rather than an audience that relies upon them - arrogance in the extreme.

     

    Sadly I will buy no more credit once my account is empty so no more Apple apps or ITunes, Android from now on... (and no, I won't regret it)!

  • by tileguy29,

    tileguy29 tileguy29 Aug 24, 2011 4:24 PM in response to Shelbo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 24, 2011 4:24 PM in response to Shelbo

    I had the same exact charge last night for Kingdom Conquest. I used a gift card but they wiped it completely out. There has to be a glitch some where that is allowing hackers into the account. I used a 10 character password with letters, numbers and symbols that know one could have guested. I chnaged my password right away but this is crazy!!

  • by Oscar2003,

    Oscar2003 Oscar2003 Aug 25, 2011 3:58 PM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2011 3:58 PM in response to stereocourier

    Is anyone else's account information been changed to Travis Gotch and an address in hampton VA with a 509 area code phone number. If you have I thought I would let everyone know that that information was taken and although that phone number does reach Travis Gotch he has nothing to do with the hacked accounts. Itunes is aware that that information is being placed on accounts and is in the process of removing the false information from peoples accounts. I know this doesn't help with the hacking of all the accounts but thought I would let everybody know.

  • by joshfromgrandville,

    joshfromgrandville joshfromgrandville Aug 25, 2011 8:35 PM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2011 8:35 PM in response to stereocourier

    Looks like a lot of people having the same issues.  I just got hacked this morning, and received several emails from Apple concerning purchases on my iTunes account that were from a computer other than the one I normally use for this account (we only have 1 computer in the house).  Lost about $20 from my iTunes gift card credit.  I've tried sending a complaint through the online contact form and Express Lan support, but the drop down menus for entering information in response to several questions (required fields) about computer, operating system, iTunes version, ect. don't seem to be working, so I'm not able to send a form.  I can click on them, but it does not let me select anything from the drop down list.  I tried calling the local Apple Store for help, and they just directed me back to the online form.  Has anyone else had this experience? 

     

    Does anyone have the number to an actual person from Apple Support to contact about fraudulent iTunes charges?

     

    Also, apparently I have one of the fraudulent downloads pending in my account, and it keeps wanting to resume (something with a bunch of Chinese characters).  I'm afraid to let it download for fear of some malicious software or something--does anyone know how to cancel the download/purchase that's pending?

     

    Thanks.

  • by aircool,

    aircool aircool Aug 25, 2011 9:12 PM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2011 9:12 PM in response to stereocourier

    @joshfromgrandville.

     

    It looks as if you are experiencing a carbon copy of my hacking, the support page drop dpwn menues do actually work but it takes around 10 seconds for the menu to activate once selected. If you click on the drop-down and wait you will eventually see your cursor start to blink. extremely slow just like the Apple support. Good luck!

  • by yt ipod,

    yt ipod yt ipod Aug 26, 2011 8:35 AM in response to stereocourier
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2011 8:35 AM in response to stereocourier

    Add me in, exactry same things happen to me. Mine was around A$50. I've changed ID and password. Hope I can get credit back like others.

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