HONG KONG: More than 700 individuals have reported unauthorized transactions on their credit cards following the launch of pre-orders for Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro series. Complaints emerged on social media starting Saturday evening, alleging that credit cards issued by various banks were used to place fraudulent orders for the devices.
Hong Kong police confirmed they have received over 700 complaints regarding the incident. Authorities estimate that the total value of the unauthorized transactions amounts to approximately 147 million Hong Kong dollars, or 18.7 million US dollars.
In response to the incident, Apple has initiated a review of all iPhone orders. A company spokesperson stated that all orders are being scrutinized before processing, and that any transactions identified as suspicious or fraudulent are being canceled.
Hong Kong lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong stated that Apple should ultimately be held responsible for the damages caused by the incident, although he noted that the actual financial loss may not be substantial.
Information technology experts have advised consumers to remain vigilant when shopping online. They recommend that users avoid entering card details on suspicious websites or links, utilize additional verification features such as 3D Secure, and ensure they receive immediate notifications for all bank transactions. Experts further advised that any unrecognized activity should be reported to the respective banks immediately.
