Apple Sending Confirmation Emails To Combat App Purchase Fraud

Apple has begun sending emails when AppleID's are used to make purchases on iOS devices not previously associated with the account. It is likely these emails are being used as one way to combat increasingly frequent app purchase fraud.

fraudprotectemail
MacRumors reader Michael had his iPhone replaced at an Apple Retail Store. After the first App Store purchase on the replaced phone, he received the above email. The email doesn't require confirmation of the purchase, but is instead a simple notification that a new device has been used and requests the user change their password if they don't recognize the activity.

Apple already requires credit card users to reenter the 3 or 4 digit CID number from the back of their credit card (front in the case of American Express) to authenticate the new device, however users with balances from iTunes Store Gift Cards aren't required to perform any special authentication other than entering their AppleID password.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone eSIM Feature

Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

Sunday August 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...

Top Rated Comments

EricNau Avatar
184 months ago
It's a step in the right direction, but seems incomplete without an easy way to contact Apple regarding a fraudulent charge.

Doesn't this email sort of send the message that "we know your account may have been jeopardized, but we don't want to help you fix it"? :confused:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
irwcll94 Avatar
184 months ago
I got this months ago... not new like the others said.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Epic Xbox Revie Avatar
184 months ago
This isn't new...:rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
derekamoss Avatar
184 months ago
To all the folks that said they got these emails a while ago and that it isn't new:

Why didn't you send it in? :-)

Because it didn't seem news worthy?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dawnathedevil Avatar
184 months ago
Does anybody know if it's possible to transfer your purchase history and account into a new username?

You can simply change your Apple ID on your account. You can't create a new account (with new ID) and transfer the purchases with it. Making a second account is a bad idea because they can not be merged together. Just change the Apple ID on your account to save you a lot of hassle.

Follow this link:
https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/69/wa/directToSignIn?wosid=ex52wgHT0SbfvcBuEHQosM&localang=en_US

sign into your account, and where it says Apple ID, there should be a small 'edit' link in the right corner. Edit the Apple ID as you wish. (If no 'edit' then this means the ID is in use with, or has been in use with mobile me and can not be changed at all)

if you have devices, sign out of your iTunes account on all of them, and sign back in using your new ID.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dfnj123 Avatar
184 months ago
To all the folks that said they got these emails a while ago and that it isn't new:

Why didn't you send it in? :-)

Didn't think it was new worthy tbh... still not convinced it is...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)