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Level 1

9 points

Unauthorized purchase on my iTunes account

A few minutes ago, I received an e-mail message thanking me for my purchase of some Chinese game in the amount of $106.99, a game I never purchased. I'm not Chinese and don't speak it, either.

I had about $20.00 in credit on my iTunes account that got eaten up by this unauthorized transaction and I ended up getting charged $86.87 through my PayPal account, which I use for my purchases.

The purchase was some app or game in Chinese characters, and since I don't know Chinese, I really don't know what it is, but it is an expensive game from some company called Hoolai Game Ltd.

I'm very careful with my iTunes account, so I don't know how it got hacked, but this is distressing.

I'm posting this in case there are other users out there to whom this has happened. I've changed my password and security questions, double- and triple-checked for malware on my computer, and notified Apple and PayPal of the breech.

Has anyone else had this happen to them?

iPad 2, iOS 5, 64GB WiFi+3G (Verizon)

Posted on Nov 6, 2011 9:03 PM

23 replies

PDADoc Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 14, 2011 3:27 PM in response to foreigncandle

All things considered, the process doesn't concern me nearly as much as the frequency with which these iTunes accounts are being breached. That Apple doesn't want to admit that there's a problem makes this issue even more concerning.

It can't be a coincidence; one or two issues, I can understand, sure. But hundreds, thousands, maybe even more (considering the worldwide use of iTunes, who knows for sure?), that is definitely something that needs to be addressed.

I know Apple likes to tout how relatively immune their iOS ecosystem is to malware, but what if it's an app that's recording iTunes user/pass info and then "phoning home" to a developer? While I doubt it, it's certainly not outside the realm of possibilities. On more than a few occasions, dodgy apps have made it through the approval process.

And I apologize in advance to the developers out there; I know you're all a hardworking lot, but that doesn't preclude the possibility that there's a rogue out there.

Tokes45

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2011 6:03 PM in response to PDADoc

I had the same thing happen. I can't get onto itunes with my account without it changing back to china over and over...I am not happy. I contacted itunes support changed my password had the charges dismissed, but the problem is still there. Did I mention I did all this from a brand new out of the box computer today and I am still having problems with my account....Where is the support?

PDADoc Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 14, 2011 6:05 PM in response to Tokes45

Yes, this is bad, and getting worse, it would seem. If ever one could say the situation is nearing a tipping point, I would say it's definitely now!

Nov 15, 2011 9:43 AM in response to PDADoc

I had the same thing happen this morning--roughly $70 in in-app purchases from HOOLAI GAME LIMITED. Two of the charges went through--totalling around $18 from a gift card and $12 from my Paypal account--and the rest are pending my authorization because of a problem with my credit card (thank god). I have changed all of my passwords, my Apple ID, and have changed my payment options to "none" on iTunes. I filed a claim with Paypal but could only find the "Express lane" support for iTunes that gives you the distinct honor and privilage of sending their support team an e-mail, but fortunately, they got back to me within an hour. Apple refunded the total amount charged to my iTunes account and disabled my account. I'm surprised that they responded as quickly as they did given what everyone else has said, but nonetheless, I am glad that it was resolved (and with an un-canned response!). Waiting to hear back from Paypal.

PDADoc Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 15, 2011 9:46 AM in response to elizabethfromorange

Okay, this is really out of control now. I'm writing a letter to Apple that they need to look into this. The frequency with which this is happening is unacceptable! Really!

Feb 28, 2012 5:42 PM in response to PDADoc

I had the same issue occur with my apple id. I had an application from China downloaded using my Apple account right after loading gift card purchases into iTunes. When contacting Apple support about the unauthorized access, all they told me to do was change my password. They cared less about the security breach of my account. I work in the IT Industry, my passwords are complex and no way possibly guessed, which means two things to me:

1. Applications that are being 'approved' are malware that are doing key logging from a device and emailing passwords to others to use. They download a 'Free' app and then ring up in app purchases.

2. Apple has been hacked and customer information has been breached.

According to this article: http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/Hoolai+Games+news/news.asp?c=37723 many other complaints have been raised but yet these applications have not been pulled from iTunes. Why?

Really makes me concerned that any application that you download may not be screened for malicious intentions.

Maybe instead of boosting about the billionth app to be downloaded, Apple should care more about the quality and security of these applications. How many people need to complain before someone listens..

Maybe if someone from the New Yorker asked some questions, Apple would finally listen.... So instead of writing Apple, perhaps enough people writing the media will make someone in Apple wake up and do something....

munshun

Level 1

0 points

Apr 18, 2012 7:35 AM in response to PDADoc

My account was hacked with prepaid cards.

Someone downloaded a chinese app and then bought $100 of gold.

Mimisuzz

Level 1

8 points

Sep 12, 2016 6:40 AM in response to PDADoc

I got a statement about a purchase made, and not with my name. It looked odd, so I opened it, especially as I didn't make any recent purchases. There are no charges on either my paypal account or my credit card, so I have no idea what to do or two whom I should speak.... Any ideas??

Unauthorized purchase on my iTunes account