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Investigate mysterious iTunes charges and remove active subscription on Apple Account

Hello,


I am receiving SMS notifications about charges from iTunes for €6.49 and €2.99.


I cannot find these transactions in my Apple Account purchase history or any active subscriptions.


I also cannot remove my mobile phone payment method because Apple says there is an active subscription on my account.


Could you please investigate these charges, identify the subscription or service responsible, and help me cancel it and prevent further charges?


Thank you.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Charges from ITunes

3 replies

Your first step is to try to identify the reason for, and source of, any charges. They may be perfectly valid charges you simply do not recognize. In the case of emails or messages there is the possibility they are not real at all (phishing attempts).


The support article If you see 'apple.com/bill' on your billing statement - Apple Support and the related article Get help with charges from apple.com/bill - Apple Support explain how you can check your iTunes and App Stores purchase history, cancel subscriptions (remember that these need to be canceled at least 24 hours in advance), and track possible sources of unrecognized Apple charges you may see on a bill. These may be purchases by Family Sharing members, others sharing your card (such as a spouse or partner, or a second Apple Account you have; you may not see a receipt).

The article also provides a specific link for contacting Apple if you cannot trace the source of charges, e.g., if you subscribed to something directly with a third party, see: About purchases not billed through the App Store or Apple In-App Purchase - Apple Support instead. In that case you need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple. See also: Fabulous SAS - Unethical app, please dele… - Apple Community

If you use Apple Card you may find this document helpful too ➞ If you see an Apple Services charge you don't recognize on your Apple Card - Apple Support


Also note this service: View your App Store and iTunes Store purchases directly from your financial institution - Apple Support

which may let you view Apple receipt details when you are signed into your financial institution website or mobile app .


If using Family Sharing and viewing purchase history under Report A Problem, make sure the “Apple Account” box is set to “All.” If a purchase is listed in your purchase history and you want to ask for a refund, read this article about how to request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple ➞ Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support Remember that many apps have trial periods with subscriptions that then start automatically unless you cancel them in time. If a Family Sharing member made the purchase then you need to discuss this with that person. They would have to initiate any refund request.


● If neither you, nor Apple, nor a Family Sharing member can account for a charge and it ONLY appears on a bill for a charge card you alone control, you may have been the victim of card fraud. Contact your financial institution immediately. Any reimbursement would have to come from them, not Apple. More here —> Refund Rejected on fraudulent transaction - Apple Community

If a reporting a problem request is unsuccessful or you have another issue try contacting Apple. Click here ➞ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support Go to the bottom of the window and you may see options for a telephone call or chat session. This is not available in all countries and the phone numbers tend to not be international.

Unless these SMS messages are coming from your bank, they are probably scams, specially if they are asking you to click a link or call a number.


The important part is, do you see these charges on any of your payment methods?


If not, then the messages are very likely scams.


click here ➜ Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


Otherwise, look for the charges on https://reportaproblem.apple.com

click here ➜ Get help with charges from apple.com/bill - Apple Support


If you suspect a scam:


Criminals are getting very good at imitating Apple messages. Start here about recognizing phishing and scams —> Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


Read this article about identifying real App Store and iTunes Store emails --> Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support Sometimes the only indication in a communication is very subtle. Have a look at this thread. Someone registered an Apple ID with my em… - Apple Community It can be very hard to tell from a communication alone if it is authentic. The best way to check is to use an independent way through Apple's own resources to confirm what the communication claims. Scams (e-mail, text messages, and phone calls) are getting very good at closely imitating true Apple communications. Always be cautious. These support articles have some guidelines:


More information about scams:

Apple Cash --> Avoid scams when you use Apple Cash - Apple Support

Gift Card Scams --> About gift card scams - Apple Support


If you are uncertain about a message and a resource provided in that message, do not click on any links in the message. Use an actual apple.com resource to independently verify what the message is claiming, or use an Apple device feature such as Settings or an Apple app. To ask Apple, start at this web page: Official Apple Support If you wish to investigate links, this post by contributor MrHoffman describes how you can do that —> "Keep your Apple Account safe and secure"… - Apple Community (the link takes you to the end of the post so scroll up a bit).