why can't I use my ID without a payment card?

Question

why can't I use my ID without a payment card?

Does anyone know how I can use my AppleID without supplying a credit card number? After my recent *fun* with Sony's security holes I AM NOT GIVING MY CARD DETAILS TO ANY COMPANY UNLESS I HAVE TO.

Apple - There is no reason to ask for it until I want to purchase! I should be able to use the app store and itunes store with out this first. I do not know how secure your code is. I expect that you put as much effort into security as every other company. In my experience that is as little as possible. So please don't take this the wrong way, but **** no I am not giving out my card details. I'll buy an iTunes card with cash and use that, thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Sep 6, 2011 8:26 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 6, 2011 8:30 AM in response to Thisisntmyrealnameforsure

You need to supply a credit or debit card, or have a prepaid iTunes card in hand, to prevent naughty people from creating Apple IDs with no intention of using them, or with the intention of using them for illicit purposes.

Read this thread here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2383659?answerId=11298067022#11298067022

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Answer 2

Sep 6, 2011 10:03 AM in response to John Hammer1

Thanks for your reply, but I don't think it really addresses my question. I would buy an iTunes card *if* I found something that had a fee associated *and* I want it.

At this point I can't even download free content / apps. I am not spending money for a card that I might not ever use. I paid enough for the mac book already. I am not supplying a credit card number as this is certainly less safe than not supplying one.

I have never been asked to hand over my credit card blindly to enter a physical store or to browse any other online store. Before Sonys app store security issue, I would probably have agreed, but now I have no reason to trust Apple any more that I trust Sony (or any other large enterprise). They are not answerable to anyone.

I am sure that there must be some other way I could verify my account that does not involve me essentially signing a blank cheque (handing over my card info), or spending my hard earned?

I have tried to follow Apple's instructions which tell me that there should be a 'none' next to payment method. It isn't there.

I also do not know what sort of malicious use I could get out of an apple ID. If this is the concern, I would have to again question the security or thought put into their application if as an unpaid member I can already cause the world to end? Would you give your credit card info to someone like this?

I would love to hear Apple's comments on this.

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Answer 3

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Sep 6, 2011 10:05 AM in response to Thisisntmyrealnameforsure

There is no 'other way' you are deciding that you will not use Apples online stores because you disagree with their authentification methods, and that is your right.

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Answer 4

Sep 6, 2011 10:17 AM in response to Thisisntmyrealnameforsure

So which is it? "I'll buy an iTunes card with cash and use that," or, "I would buy an iTunes card *if* I found something that had a fee associated *and* I want it"?

As Csound1 said, the options I described are the ones available. If none of them are acceptable to you, then you won't be using the iTunes Store.

Please note that there is no "Apple" here; it's just other users like you, me, and Csound1. If you want to make a suggestion or complaint to Apple, try here:

http://www.apple.com/support/feedback/

...but don't hold your breath while waiting for a personalized reply.

As for security, I'm sure there are things that can and have happened. However, with 10 billion songs and 15 billion apps downloaded as of the most recently released figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes_Store), I imagine that it's more secure than most things on the net, including bank websites, and no issue is at the level of a "problem" or concern for the typical user.

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