Unauthorized Apple charges

Common Reasons for Unexpected Apple Charges

• Family Sharing Purchases: Charges made by family members using your payment method

• Subscription Renewals: Auto-renewals for apps, music, or iCloud storage you forgot about

• Multiple Apple IDs: Charges from another account you own but don’t actively use

• Fraudulent Activity: Someone may have accessed your Apple ID or payment info

• Authorization Holds: Temporary charges that may be refunded later

💡 What To Do If You See an Unauthorized Charge

1. Check Your Purchase History

   • Go to your Apple ID settings and view recent purchases

   • Look for subscriptions, app downloads, or in-app purchases

2. Report the Problem to Apple

   • Use Apple’s Report a Problem tool to request a refund or flag suspicious activity

3. Contact Your Bank or Card Issuer

   • If the charge is truly unauthorized, report it as fraud and request a chargeback

4. Secure Your Apple ID

   • Change your password

   • Enable two-factor authentication

   • Review devices linked to your account

5. Set Purchase Restrictions

   • On your device, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions

   • Require a password for purchases and restrict app downloads

⏳ Timing Matters: Refund vs. Dispute

If you catch the charge early, you can request a refund before your bank files a dispute. Once a dispute is filed, even a refund won’t stop the chargeback from affecting your account. Acting fast is key.