Credit Card added to Apple Pay without my permission

It couldn't have been.

Apple Pay is a payment conduit only, it does not hold any cards itself. Cards are added to the Apple Wallet App on an iPhone or in Settings on an iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro, and can then be used with Apple Pay to make purchases in physical stores or 3rd party websites, but there is no way to add cards directly to Apple Pay. Much less on a Windows PC.

Where exactly are you seeing your card exactly?

Is it inside the Apple Wallet app on an Apple device? Only cards visible there can be used with Apple Pay.

If you received a message or email stating your card was added to Apple Pay, or was used for a purchase through Apple Pay, it is very likely a scam.

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

If you can explain exactly what you are seeing and where, someone may be able to advise a course of action.

First … GREAT response. 👏

There are lots of scams out there, your bank is the only entity to whom you should “pay attention.”

Suspect that your card credentials (Name, 16-digits, CVV, and Expiry) were likely stolen the “old fashioned way.” (You’re vulnerable every time you hand your physical card to anyone else)

Next … the criminal added your card to their ApplePay.

This “adding” process includes a verification by your bank that the person adding the card is REALLY you.

The bank does this with the info which they already have on-file for you.

So … the Criminal either knew enough about you … or had access to the verification methods used by your bank … or your bank’s verification process is inherently weak. (Or a combo of all three)

You DEF need to have a conversation with your Bank about how — EXACTLY — this was authorized.

You’ll likely need to be politely-persistant and be “escalated.”

What you’re asking for is generally not available to the first tiers of CSRs.

You’re certainly on the right track.

You should consider the possibility that the verification methods used by your bank might be compromised. (e.g. Apple Account, eMail, phone number, etc.)

Old phone numbers or emails still on-file with your bank — especially ones which you no longer even use — are “easy to track-down” possibilities as well.

Did you address the situation with the bank’s local branch manager? They would be in the best position to review the letter and investigate the situation.

GrandmaJanD wrote:

I received a letter from my bank thanking me for adding my credit card to Apple Pay. I called them immediately and they cancelled my credit card but I'm concerned as to how this happened as I have never used my Apple Pay.

What exactly do you mean by "letter"?

Did you get an email? an SMS message? A notification in their own App? Or a physical paper letter?

If it was an email or SMS, are you certain it was indeed from your bank?

Scammers are pretty good at faking communications from banks and credit card issuers to get you to interact with them and provide your account credentials? Did you click a link or call a phone number included in the communication?

Sounds fairly unlikely someone just added your credit card to their account without other information or access to the bank's app though.

I'm still leaning towards a scam.

Can you post the "letter" here, redacting any personal information?

Do you see this on YOUR account …

… or do you see it on someone else’s account …

… or did you receive some sort of unsolicited message saying so ???

I received a letter from my bank thanking me for adding my credit card to Apple Pay. I called them immediately and they cancelled my credit card but I'm concerned as to how this happened as I have never used my Apple Pay.

Jeff, I spoke to their Card Security Team and to someone in Member Services and they had no idea how it happened and left it at that. I'll contact them again and see why I didn't get a text or an email telling me that this had happened. I certainly get a text every time I log into my account so I don't understand why I wasn't alerted when this happened.

Chattanoogan, I received a letter from my bank thanking me for adding my credit card to Apple Pay. I called them immediately and they cancelled my credit card but I'm concerned as to how this happened as I have never used Apple Pay.

Good question! 👏

I assumed — perhaps erroneously — “via USPS” but only because we ourselves recently received a similar “snail mail” letter from our own bank after adding a new credit card to wallet.

Chattanoogan, yes Via USPS.

Did you call a number provided in the letter or did you look up the number or use the number on the back of the credit/debit card?