Unauthorized in-game debits not in purchase history

The support article https://support.apple.com/108092 and the related article https://support.apple.com/120164 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: https://support.apple.com/118126 instead. In that case you need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple. See also: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256198931

If you use Apple Card you may find this document helpful too ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT210618

Also note this service: https://support.apple.com/HT209592

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 ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT204084 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 —> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256173521?answerId=261653382022&sortBy=oldest_first#261653382022

If a reporting a problem request is unsuccessful or you have another issue try contacting Apple. Click here ➞ https://support.apple.com/HT201232 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.

• What is the exact description of the charge you see on your Credit Card?
• Which game is it?

That will tell you who is billing you and since they are not in your Purchase History, it is possible that the Developer is billing you directly and Apple would not be involved in those transactions. The Developer has no access to your payment method on your Apple Account, so that would have to be given to them in the app.

Apple must allow Developers to bill you directly as they were previously sued and fined for not allowing them to do that. When Apple removed apps that the Developer bypassed Apple's management of the transaction, they were forced to reinstate those apps, When Apple attempted to warn users that they were going to be charged by the Developer where Apple has no control, they were sued again and forced to take down that warning.

So now, Developers can bill you directly where you would submit your payment information to them, and if there is a problem you either have to contact the Developer for a resolution or if the charge is a fraudulent charge you have to dispute that with the bank of the issued card. You can still report an app to Apple at the Report a Problem website as being fraudulent and Apple can take action then with enough complaints that would result in the app being removed from the App Store, but that is independent of refunds.

If the charge on your Credit Card does say "Apple", then it still is possible that you would be billed by Apple and not see it in your Purchase History if:

• You are the Organizer of a Family Sharing plan that uses Purchase Sharing. That allows members of the plan to make purchases that will be billed to the Family card. You can still view their purchases as the Organizer, but you have to select their account first. Any "Diamonds" they purchase in a game would not be sharable to you, so you would not be able to use them, but they would have had them added to their game.
• Another person has added your card to their Apple Account. This would either be known by you where you would not see it in your Purchase History or someone fraudulently added it to their account. If it was fraud, then you would still dispute that with the bank of the issued card where you bank will close that account, issue you a new card, and refund the purchase after their investigation. When Apple receives that Chargeback, they will launch their own investigation which can include disabling the Apple Account that had used your card fraudulently.

If you got an email receipt and there's a 'Report a Problem' link in it, use that; otherwise, click here and ask the iTunes Store staff for a refund.

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