Apple Computer Itunes Store Customer Service Apple allows wide spread Fraudulent Gift Card Purchases and refuses to reverse charges or provide Customer Service Support 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, California

On May 13th I used my ITunes software to download some songs at around 4PM. The next day, May 14th at around 3PM Apple processed (charged my credit card) for my purchase and sent me an email invoice for that purchase. Apple then sent me two additional invoices for two $50 gift cards that I did not buy or authorize. These extra fraudulent purchases were charged on my ITunes account using my credit card that was listed in the ITunes software on my computer, and were processed seperately, but within seconds of the legitimate charge.

The timing of the charges going through was provided to me by the fraud department in my credit card company. I think it is important to note that Apple did not process my legitimate purchase until the day following the downloads, and that the fraudulent charges went through seconds later. This clearly shows that the criminals instigating this unauthorized theft have either working inside Apples purchase processing department or somebody on the outside has hacked into/piggybacked onto the Apple purchase processing computer.

What is completely infuriating and uncalled for on Apple's part is that they offer no way for you to speak to a live person regarding this problem (try to find and call any number they have listed - After several dead ends and transfers you will be told there is no customer service call center for ITunes). When I finally found their "Chat" line, I was promptly told that the two unauthorized gift card purchases were not going to be looked into and that Apple would not reverse, refund or credit them. I was then told that if I really thought I had a problem I should contact my credit card company. In other words, Apple clearly stated that they didn't give a d**n that this might have happend and they were not going to admit, apologize or take any kind of action. Apple, in no uncertain terms, has become another corporation that wants to take your money tell you to get lost. As I found out, I was not alone (see below)

I contacted my credit card company fraud department, and they were very helpful. The CC fraud rep went over the charges with me and confirmed the one legitimate charge and the two unauthorized $50 charges. She said they would reverse them and look into it because there have been "several" of these instances with other customers. The bad part is, that I had to cancel the current card and wait about a week for a new one to arrive. This is a major inconvenience for anyone who has automatic payments set up for utilities, etc. And completely unjustified, because I truly believe that my credit card number was not stolen/compromised, but that someone with access to Apples system is taking advantage of their system.

Needless to say, I have since found that there are several hundreds, if not thousands, of these identical cases happening via ITunes. In every case Apple is refusing to respond, acknowledge and/or reverse the charges. It did not matter whether the victim was using a credit card, debit card or paypal, the theft happened through the ITunes purchase system, which is owned and operated entirely by Apple Computer, Inc.

I encourage everyone to speak up about this problem. Report Apple to the Better Business Bureau, the FTC, your state's Attorney General and any media outlet you have contact with. This type of stonewalling is uncalled for, and Apple is almost complicit in the theft because they have refused to refund/reverse the charges for everyone involved. And like and iceberg, the people speaking up are only the tip of the iceberg - think about the number of people that are not aware these charges are going onto their accounts or are not speaking up.

Here is a link to a reporter that another poster put up:
i found a reporter for FOX on another website stating they are looking for similar stories to do a report.

you can contact this reporter for FOX who is looking to cover this on national television.

there email is: ray.parisi@foxtv.com

i also reported this on GetSatisfaction.com

where hundreds of people are just reporting the same problems.

Rav714
Corona del Mar, California
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Apple Computer

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Apple Computer