Hi
I am a Samsung user. Don't have an Apple ID. I was charged $12.99 AUD on 11th Jan 2024, that's today, on my bank account.
The charge mentioned Apple.com/Bill Sydney.
I haven't done this transaction and have reported the same to my bank. My account is NOT linked to any family account for any Apple payment or any Apple ID.
Is this a verifiable scam and how is this being operated so blatantly?
Thanks for the reply.
I am based out of Adelaide. Never been to Sydney at all, till date.
I do not have any apple products or any apple subscriptions. My card is not subscribed to any Apple service or product, ever.
I researched this more in detail, and have found out that this has been happening world over since a while now, a few years actually. The big issue here is that it continues unchecked. Some people get their charges reversed, however many do lose their money - although curiously these are never very large transactions. Almost always smaller double digit numbers. In any case, I moved my money before any further charges could be done, but it is highly likely that I will see this happening again.
Will update here accordingly.
This is an elaborate setup I am assuming, as there are the same reports from countries around the world about this specific transaction being charged to unsuspecting people.
Thanks for the reply.
I am based out of Adelaide. Never been to Sydney at all, till date.
I do not have any apple products or any apple subscriptions. My card is not subscribed to any Apple service or product, ever.
I researched this more in detail, and have found out that this has been happening world over since a while now, a few years actually. The big issue here is that it continues unchecked. Some people get their charges reversed, however many do lose their money - although curiously these are never very large transactions. Almost always smaller double digit numbers. In any case, I moved my money before any further charges could be done, but it is highly likely that I will see this happening again.
Will update here accordingly.
This is an elaborate setup I am assuming, as there are the same reports from countries around the world about this specific transaction being charged to unsuspecting people.
Hi David,
Thanks for the reply.
I am Adelaide based, never been to Sydney.
I will call Apple support tomorrow to check. I did try online support, but as I don't have an active Apple Id, I really couldn't get anywhere.
The bigger hope still is that somehow, this is a legitimate transaction, as it would be unnerving to get such a charge so blatantly in my account. The amount is irrelevant, the ease of the charge is unnerving.
To give more perspective - I've never used any Apple product, never used any Apple service or subscription. Always used Android, all the time.
My research in the past few hours points to a much larger issue here, but I need to be clear before I say anything here anymore.
Thanks anyways.
AnonOK wrote:
Same has happened for me 18 July 2024
This is almost certainly a scam as I have an apple account with known/regular subscriptions - the invoices appear in my email regularly.
However i have recently been billed for a one off payment for something completely unknown to me and not part of any of my regular apple subscriptions
I will be cancelling that card asap and recommend considering the bill to be a scam/fraud.
Be careful using your card on a retail terminal where the card numbers can be skimmed when swiped. It is also possible with the chip cards, but more common with the swiped cards. The scam for chip cards is called shimming and the strip cards is called skimming. The devices attached to these terminals will read the card numbers and the scammers can make their own purchases or use a description of the charge that mimics a well known company so you do not dispute it. These devices are most common at gas stations where the scammer can install them overnight without any interruptions. They are also found on ATM machines and local retail stores. Using tap to pay is currently the best option for payment.
You didn't say where you are although a clue is that the bill orginated in Sydney, so if you are in Australia you could call Apple support on 1300 321 456. I've found them very helpful. As WheelieNick says, this sounds like a legitimate charge so Apple Support might give you some idea about the transaction.
If you are elsewhere you could try your local Apple Support phone number using the list in Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
If you see apple.com/bill this is most of the times a legitimate charge. Do you have a subcription to Apple TV+ for example?
I would reccommend that you Icontact Apple Support to get in touch to see what this charge was
saktesh wrote:
Hi David,
Thanks for the reply.
I am Adelaide based, never been to Sydney.
I will call Apple support tomorrow to check. I did try online support, but as I don't have an active Apple Id, I really couldn't get anywhere.
The bigger hope still is that somehow, this is a legitimate transaction, as it would be unnerving to get such a charge so blatantly in my account. The amount is irrelevant, the ease of the charge is unnerving.
To give more perspective - I've never used any Apple product, never used any Apple service or subscription. Always used Android, all the time.
My research in the past few hours points to a much larger issue here, but I need to be clear before I say anything here anymore.
Thanks anyways.
From your description it does sound as if your credit card number has been stolen and used without your authorisation. Your bank might ask for a police report. I had to do that once when my card was skimmed at a store and subsequently used at a bottle shop. I got my money back in the end, but not the wine.
With regards to the Sydney note - it is worth knowing that this is on all transactions with Apple Australia. They are headquartered in Sydney and it does not mean that a purchase was made there. I'm in Melbourne and all my Apple bills say APPLE.COM/BILL SYDNEY
FWIW, you do now have an active Apple ID! You need one to post on this forum. Put it safely in a box somewhere for now, you never know if you might need it again in the future.
Yes, it happened to me as well! Not happy with these guys are getting away with this crime. I've lost almost $500 AUD on 26 transactions for the last 4 months before I realised they weren't legitimate! I contacted PayPal, because they activated an automated payment to "Apple Services".
Then PayPal said they weren't fraudulent? I couldn't believe it.
I'm going to contact my bank..
Same has happened for me 18 July 2024
This is almost certainly a scam as I have an apple account with known/regular subscriptions - the invoices appear in my email regularly.
However i have recently been billed for a one off payment for something completely unknown to me and not part of any of my regular apple subscriptions
I will be cancelling that card asap and recommend considering the bill to be a scam/fraud.
Sickofapplebills wrote:
Sick of apples constant bills helping themselves to my bank
Any charge you make in an app or signing up for a subscription/free trial requires you to double click the side button and verification with FaceID/Touch ID or Passcode with the amount showing on the screen. This is not something that is done by accident.
If you signed up for a free trial, you need to remember to cancel the trial at least 24 hours before the trial period ends to avoid being charged. Free Trials automatically renew as a subscription if there is no action on your part to cancel it. That is how alll free trials work.
This happened to me too! I have an apple phone but my transactions were linked to a different card. Long story short, didn't realise around $500 in 33 transactions since September. Have just contacted CC company
Sick of apples constant bills helping themselves to my bank
APPLE L.COM/BILL SYDNEY Scam?
