HK logs 110+ reports of credit card theft over iPhone Duo pre-orders

Apple's new foldable iPhone began online pre-orders last night. Police received more than 110 reports of credit card theft for buying the device, involving 4.6 million dollars.

Police say Apple did not follow their reminders to activate the 3D Secure verification system, leading to the spate of credit card theft again.

Apple has launched its first foldable iPhone Duo with online pre-orders kicking off on Friday night. Just like the pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series last month, the rush of purchases this time comes in tandem with a wave of credit card theft.

Police received more than 115 reports of such cases racking up to 4.6 million dollars -- with the most serious case being fraudulently charged 230,000 dollars to buy 12 iPhones.

Police said the force has repeatedly urged Apple to activate the 3D Secure or 3DS one-time verification system, for online credit card transactions, which requires cardholders to undergo additional authentication through their issuing banks such as entering a one-time password or confirming a transaction via a banking app.

Police said Apple did not activate the 3DS system this time again, because of commercial considerations. The force expressed "deep regrets" over Apple's failure to proactively fulfil its corporate responsibilities leaving room for criminals to exploit with the recurrence of similar fraud -- which could have been prevented.

When pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro series began last month, the city reported 1,572 suspected credit card thefts, involving upwards of 30 million dollars.

Apple said all orders are reviewed before processing further and fraudulent transactions will be cancelled.

HSBC said customers are not responsible for any such duplicate transactions, stressing 3DS authentication offers extra safeguards but it's up to the merchants to decide whether they would like to activate it.