14 DAY TRIAL // When Apple has trouble with the reception on its next-generation iPhone, it calls out for antenna engineers. So, when 400 or more iTunes accounts get hacked, what is Apple supposed to do? Hire an iTunes Fraud Prevention Specialist, of course.
For one reason or another, the job posting 9to5mac covered in a report is now gone. Perhaps someone with “excellent analytical skills and extensive knowledge of best practices for WW order exception management” has already contacted Cupertino with a resume in hand. Or perhaps there was someone on campus who fit the description. Whatever happened, Apple is on track to consolidate the security of its iTunes Store as soon as possible.
Before the job posting was spotted, Apple reportedly admitted to the existence of fraudulent developers and their so called ‘app farms’. The company took down one programmer, reportedly named Thuat Nguyen, whose 40+ applications allegedly were nothing but a scam to get customers’ credit card information. Apple provided the following statement, according to a Gizmodo report:
The developer Thuat Nguyen and his apps were removed from the App Store for violating the developer Program License Agreement, including fraudulent purchase patterns.
Developers do not receive any iTunes confidential customer data when an app is downloaded.
If your credit card or iTunes password is stolen and used on iTunes we recommend that you contact your financial institution and inquire about canceling the card and issuing a chargeback for any unauthorized transactions. We also recommend that you change your iTunes account password immediately. For more information on best practices for password security visit http://www.apple.com/support/itunes.
However, multiple such rogue developers have been identified. In hiring an iTunes Fraud Prevention Specialist, Apple is undoubtedly trying to prevent more iTunes accounts from being hacked. Here’s hoping it’s not to late for some iTunes Store subscribers.