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Original poster

Someone used my Apple ID to download a game

18 replies

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 19:36

Need some help from people who know more than me about apple stuff, please!

Received an email this morning from apple saying they were just letting me know that my Apple ID had been used in China to download a (free) game onto a device which hasn't before been associated with my account. If it wasn't me that had done this, then I should change my password, which I've done.

It wasn't a phishing email as apple had actually locked my devices (I have 2 iPads and my phone on the account) so I had to verify it was me then change my password to get back into them. Also, the game that was downloaded had appeared on both iPads.

Could this have been my children downloading things? They don't know the password so that would (hopefully) be unlikely. Or how did someone manage to get my details? My password wasn't anything like "password" etc.

Thanks

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 19:39

Might be worth doing a scan on your computer to make sure you haven't got a Trojan horse. Then change password again.

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 19:44

Oh, that doesn't sound good. I will suggest to DH. I wouldn't know how to do that. Could it be that we've got something on the computer that has recorded keystrokes to get passwords? They'd have been better off going for my bank account rather than a free game first!

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 20:26

It does all sound a bit odd but yes some viruses are key logger type ones.

When you got the email and had to verify your account, etc did you follow a link on the email to the apple website or did you close the email and go to the apple website via a search engine/itunes and do it?

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 20:50

There was a link in the email but I was too wary to follow it. Instead, i think I went into iTunes (via the iTunes app) and tried to access it there. That was when a box popped up saying that apple had locked my account/devices and I should reset my password. I followed links from that pop up box, they sent a verification email to my email address and I followed the link in that.

Oh, stuff like this makes me worry! I'll be checking my online banking a lot over the next few days. Thanks for your help viva.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 20:58

The email sounds genuine.

Can you email apple and ask them for advice??

Sometimes people do odd stuff, dh had his credit card cloned one and they bought odd things off eBay for amounts like £1.27.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 21:04

major big thread here

Sounds like it happens a lot! I'm worried about having my credit card linked to my account now!

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 21:05

Yes, I think I might do that.

I did wonder if maybe they get your details (by whatever means) then download something free to see if you notice. If you do, they move on to someone else. If not, they go shopping.

OP posts:

peggyundercrackers · 28/12/2013 21:07

viva they normally buy small items for £1 or so to make sure the card works then clobber them for £400-£500

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 21:08

Yes I guess that would have happened next if the bank hadn't stopped the card.

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 21:48

viva that thread has 127 pages! Eek!

My bank accounts look fine for now, but I'll keep an eye on them. Can you remove your card details from your apple account? I was looking on the iPad and couldn't see a way but I might be able to if I use the computer.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 21:56

I think you can but I've never done it.

FrankAndFurt · 28/12/2013 22:21

It's always best to use ITunes gift cards to pay for items on iTunes and not to have a credit card associated with your itunes account. It is better for security reasons as it limits how much you can be defrauded if your account is hacked. It's also better because you can take advantage of iTunes gift card promotions. In the past I have bought £25 gift cards on special offer with only £12:50 worth of tesco points.

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 22:49

Have had a google and some people say you can remove your details; others say you can't. I don't think I can do it via the iPad so will try on the computer tomorrow.

I think I might go down the gift card route from now on. Morrisons sell them and I'm sure you get a voucher for money off fuel when you buy a gift card there. No fraud and slightly cheaper fuel. Win win!

OP posts:

FrankAndFurt · 28/12/2013 22:58

Do you have ios7. Have you got restrictions enabled?

I would remove my credit card right now if I were you. Just to be on the safe side.

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 28/12/2013 23:21

Hi frank. Yes, I'm on ios7. I looked at "restrictions" in "general", and it says they are on. I tried clicking into restriction but it asked for a pass code that I don't know. What does restrictions do?

OP posts:

FrankAndFurt · 28/12/2013 23:40

I do to think it matters that you can't access restrictions. I thought it may be interesting to see what apps, if any, are allowed to access your information but I doubt its of any relevance.

The most important thing is to dissassociate your credit card from your itunes account and change all your passwords. I would change your email passwords as well as your itunes passwords. It might be pointless but it wouldn't do any harm.

You can reset your ipad to the factory settings and set it up as new device if you really can't remember your restrictions passcode. You can then retrieve your data and content from iCloud or from your pc - assuming you back up your device

Original poster

Lookslikerain · 29/12/2013 08:41

I've now removed my card details from the iTunes account, and spoken to the bank. They recommend getting a new card just in case, though as my details were starred out on iTunes, it's unlikely that anyone saw them. I have also changed my email password.

Viva/Frank - thanks for your help. I'll make sure DH checks the main computer, and try and figure out why I don't know the restrictions pass code for my iPad.

OP posts:

FrankAndFurt · 29/12/2013 12:20

That's good you have got it sorted. I don't think you need to worry anymore. Generally, itunes is very secure, I just think you were unlucky. At least there was no harm done.

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