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Got receipt for an unauthorized purchase, please help!

Let's be clear, the only iDevice we own is a single iPHone 3GS:


Last night I received an invoice stating I downloaded a free App called Texas Poker from KAMAGAMES LTD. The app, which I have never downloaded (it isn't in my iTunes nor on my phone), has made two in-app purchases:


Texas Poker, 500k chips, Seller: KAMAGAMES LTD 9.99


Texas Poker, 500k chips, Seller: KAMAGAMES LTD 9.99


After taxes, this total invoice comes out to 22.76$, which is the total amount I had left in my account from a gift card I had redeemed a couple of months earlier.


I have never downloaded such an app, therefore these in-app purchases are impossible for me to have made. I reported this by e-mail to iTunes support but it's the weekend and I really want this settled ASAP.


Thank god I did not have a credit card linked to my account.


What can I do from this point on?


All of this follows my installing of an app called Paperboy:Special Delivery, which is free and does not allow for in-app purchases.


I do not gamble and NEVER play poker.


How can I get my money back from this illegal, unauthorized purchase?

iTunes Store-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.5.8), An illegal, unauthorized purchase

Posted on May 1, 2011 9:23 AM

Reply
137 replies

Sep 21, 2011 1:48 PM in response to mcfmullen

I got hit too, I am highly conscious of computer security and never use the same password on websites. I just cant understand why a company as big as Apple do not have customer support call centres. These hacks are theft and should involve the police/authorities. And if the device is unauthorised why let the thing download - isnt that the point of authorisation?

Sep 22, 2011 12:47 AM in response to joshuakent

This happened to me today to. Got 2 back to back emails from Apple saying that a device that wasnt' previously associated with my account was used to make a purchase. I had just applied a brand new $50 itunes card yesterday. Less then 24 hours later, my balance is down to 89 cents. Completely ridiculous. There is no virus on my computer, it is heavily protected, my password has been given to no one. How does a company this large have security this poor?

Nov 17, 2011 1:57 PM in response to mcfmullen

My store credit was wiped out yesterday, $45.15, for about 45 songs, mostly Asian songs. I have emailed Apple but have not gotten a response yet. I am hoping that they will refund my money. Has anyone from these older posts gotten a refund? I am really glad now that I never attached a credit card to my itunes account. My personal information is still correct, so they somehow just got my password. I too received the email from Apple telling me that a device not registered to my account had made the purchase!! If they know it is an unregistered device, why do they allow the purchase to go through??

Nov 18, 2011 2:11 PM in response to RDK81

I got a reply today, and they are giving me a full credit too!! So relieved :-) They didn't say anything about it not being the norm, just that I should change my password (I already had!) and that my account has been temporarily disable for new purchases, until I have it re-enabled. At least that will protect my credit until I can decide what to spend it on.


Thanks for the reply :-)

Nov 18, 2011 5:05 PM in response to colleengvc

I just got an email from iTunes saying that a device that wasnt' previously associated with my account was used to make a purchase. I look on my account and see 3 charges for "Original Gangstaz" totalling $74.97. I have never even heard of this game and no one else knows my account info or has access to my device. After looking online it appears there are some developers who have found a way to capture your info and send it back to them. This has me worried about the apps I actually did download that one of them might be doing "bad things". Apple has said they will refund me but of course it will take 3-5 days. Funny how they can charge me instantly but not replace my money instantly...

Nov 19, 2011 10:23 PM in response to agustinfrompembroke

Contact both Paypal and itunes support and let them know. iTunes is via email only which blows but they do respond you within about 24hours though they say up to 48. Go to http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ and on the left side at the bottom is contact support. It will take 5-7 days to refund you.


I highly suggest that no one have paypal or a credit card associated with their account it can be much more involved to replace those funds. Not with as much fraud going on as there is. Buy and use gift cards. If you shop around you can even get them cheaper than face value at discount stores like Costco or Sams club. The sad thing is this may repeat itself as there have been rumors (heck apple is sueing someone) that some rogue apps may be collecting user data to facilitate this. The other thing to watch out for is don't enter your username/pw when using open wifi hotspots with your device as someone can sniff that data because for some odd reason it appears the store does not use SSL.

Nov 20, 2011 10:01 AM in response to mcfmullen

I had the same problem with unauthorised download of Texas Poker and chips the last days.

I got the money back but Appel told me only for this case.

It is a big problem, that the use of a cash-sevice was possible especially course the passwords at iTunes and the cash-service are different.

I saw one messure in the www from jan. 2011, where is told, that 50.000 accounts of iTunes were stolen and offered on a chinese website for about 2.50US$/account.

Maybe that is one of the reasons.

Now my accounts at iTunes and the cash-service are temporarily locked and I will not change that, until there are no better news.

E-mail-adresses are known from deverse people in this world. So I think it is no good idea to make this as the ID-name of the account. I see the same problem with the common known cash-services.

The ID-Name should be a self choosen name. The E-Mail-Adress should stay in the background.

Every transaction should be sent to the e-mail adress with a transaction code, which then can be used for!

Nov 20, 2011 11:00 AM in response to hackerhunter

add on:

my serving person at iTunes bed me, to excuse the late answer course of unexpexted many questions the last days.

That tells letters!

A new action of sold accounts has been verified.


At iTunes(Apple): do something against that unsecurities!

That problem will compromise not only your business but all business using international cash services!

Got receipt for an unauthorized purchase, please help!

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