14 DAY TRIAL // The iPhone X frenzy continues now that Apple is getting ready to start shipping the device to customers across the world, but problems keep being reported by those who pre-ordered the new model on October 27 at midnight.
A number of Apple customers took to reddit to complain that their pre-orders were canceled after their banks blocked the payment for a new iPhone X due to what they considered to be “fraudulent charges.”
This made Apple unable to complete the payment for the ordered iPhone X and, naturally, the order itself got canceled completely – this could be one of the reasons shipment times are increasing for some customers, though it’s not yet clear how widespread the problem actually is.
While protection against fraudulent charges helps protect accounts from hacks, it could also block payments for more expensive goods, as it’s the case of the iPhone X, unless the bank is specifically being told to allow the transaction.
Get in touch with the bank and the store ASAP
Reddit user SeveralChunks explains how his payment was blocked:
“Just woke up this morning with a call and an email from my credit card company. They automatically blocked my purchase of the iPhone x due to ‘fraudulent charges.’ I stayed up until 3. I got my order through Verizon before Apple even started selling them. All week I've been told a November 3rd delivery, but now it just says order canceled. I have to reorder this. I'm so mad right now.”
While getting in touch with the bank before placing a pre-order for an iPhone X is always a good idea, others suggest they can reach out to allow the transaction even after it was blocked and to then contact the seller, either Apple or a carrier, to explain the situation.
There are reports that this indeed helped and the original order was restored, but this obviously depends on a number of factors, including the available stock for each store.
“I have an AMEX card, and I got notification it blocked it because of it being fraudulent. I called AMEX, explained to them what happened, and they cleared it. I then called Verizon, explained to them what happened, and put me on a 20 minute hold. They came back, and said it was all taken care of. My card was charged shortly after, and the anticipated shipping date has remained the same,” reddit user amcclain87 explained.
Right now, the waiting time for an iPhone X at the Apple Store is 5-6 weeks, with most carriers also providing similar shipping times.