Did you know that your mobile number can be used to pay for digital content and services purchased via an App Store, rather than using alternative payment methods like a debit or credit card or something like PayPal. This is known as mobile billing.
Charges from App Stores can be added to your mobile bill when your mobile number has been set up and verified as a payment method within an App Store account. Verification always takes place before a mobile number can be added as a payment method, and no purchases can be made unless your mobile number has been correctly verified.
Once your account is set up it is prudent to ensure you check to see what controls are available within the App Store to limit your spend and ensure consent is provided for purchases made and charged to your mobile phone bill .
The App Stores use a variety of different methods to verify a mobile number as follows;
Sony PlayStation Store – Sony sends a One Time PIN (OTP) via text message to the mobile number being added as a payment method. This MUST be entered and verified on-screen before any purchases can be made from the PlayStation Store. You can set up mobile payments on a PS console, a PC/laptop, tablet, mobile phone or any connected device capable of accessing the PlayStation Store.
The OTP text message comes from a five digit short code number.
Once a mobile number has been added as a payment method then further purchases can be made from the PlayStation Store and charged to that mobile number without any additional verification, UNLESS you have set up the relevant controls in your PlayStation Store account.
Google Play – Mobile Billing can only be set up for Google when logged into a Google Play account via the Google Play Store app. Google performs their own automated verification at the point you select to use ‘Mobile Billing’ (or equivalent) as a payment method. Once the Google verification is complete, your mobile number can be used for any purchases made while logged into your Google Play Store account via the Google Play Store app. If you log into your Google Play Store account via the app on a different handset, the verified mobile number will still show as a payment method available for you to use. You can decide if your Google Play password is required for each purchase you make. This can be switched on/off at any time and managed through your Google Play account. You can also set spend limits, which again can be done via your Google Play account.
Apple – If Mobile Billing is being enabled on an iPhone, iPad or connected device and you want to use that mobile number as your payment method, then Apple will perform their own automated verification at the point you select ‘Mobile Phone’ (or equivalent) when adding a payment method to your Apple ID. If you want to use an alternative mobile number as a payment method while logged in to your Apple ID on a different device, the mobile number being added will receive a OTP via text message from Apple which must be entered back into the screen on the device to verify that mobile number as a payment method. For each purchase, Apple will use the device’s default verification method, such as face id/password etc.
Microsoft – You will be asked to select a way to pay when making your first purchase from the Microsoft Store. You can select ‘Mobile Phone’ (or equivalent) from the payment options and your mobile network operator (if supported) should be in the drop down menu. Once you select your mobile network operator, you will be asked to enter your mobile number. A OTP is then sent to the mobile number via text message which must be entered back into the screen to verify the number as a Microsoft payment method. Further purchases may require use of a OTP again, however Microsoft do not automatically use a OTP for every purchase. Purchases can only be made when logged into a Microsoft Store account using the correct username and password.
Getting support from App Stores
The App Stores will usually require details of the account that has made the purchases, such as a username/email address, in order to be able to assist you with any purchase related queries. If you only know the mobile number that has been charged and you aren’t able to see/find the transactions/charges you want to query in your App Store account, BEFORE you contact the App Store you should to do the following:
You will need what Google refer to as a ‘correlation id’ for any purchase you wish to query. These can be found on the email receipts which are sent to the email address registered with the Google Play account. Depending on your mobile network operator, you might also be able to see the correlation id’s on your bill. If you are unable to find these, give your mobile network operator a call and they should be able to talk you through how/where you can find them. Once you have the correlation id’s, you can contact Google via the below support link.
Microsoft
You will need the username of the Microsoft Store account that has made the purchases or details from the email receipts that will have been sent to the email address registered with the Microsoft Store account. If you don’t have these, contact Microsoft using the below link and their customer support should be able to escalate the issue for you.
Sony
You will need details of the PlayStation account that has made the purchases, such as a username, or details from the email receipts that will have been sent to the email address registered with the PlayStation account. If you are unable to find these, give your mobile network operator a call and they should be able to help direct you as to how to find the details needed by Sony customer support. PlayStation support can be contacted using the below link.
Apple
You will need to know the Apple ID that made the purchases, or have what Apple call ‘web order id’s’ for any purchases you are querying. Web order id’s can be found on text receipts sent to the charged mobile number, in the purchase history of the Apple ID that used mobile payments, or in email receipts sent to the email address registered with the Apple ID used to make the purchases. Depending on your mobile network operator, the web order id might be on your bill.
If the purchases were made using someone else’s Apple ID and you don’t have the details, check the text message inbox on the charged mobile for the text receipts from Apple. These will have the web order id’s.
If you have trouble finding this information you can use the following links:
If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID – Apple Support
See your purchase history for the app Store, iTunes Store and more – Apple Support..
Subscriptions and Billing – Official Apple Support
Other useful information about Mobile Payments
If you are not the bill payer, or you are adding someone else’s mobile number as your App Store payment method, you MUST have their permission before you do this as they will be responsible for any purchases you make and settling the bill with their mobile network operator.
Depending on your mobile network operator, you might need to request access to mobile billing prior to setting it up as it may be barred as default. If you have added a bar in the past which you wish to remove in order to use mobile billing, again, contact your mobile network operator and ask them to do this for you.
There is a regulatory spend limit of £40 per single purchase and £240 a month on any spend via App Stores. Your mobile network operator is not permitted to amend this.
Never share details of any OTP message you receive with anyone, not even if you think you know them, as someone could be trying to add your mobile number as their own payment method. For more information, see here Charges on your phone bill from an App Store or other content provider like Microsoft or Sony? – PhoneCharges.org
Occasionally, your App Store account details can become compromised and you might be the victim of fraud. If you believe that fraud has taken place on your account, it is useful to report this via Action Fraud and obtain a crime reference number before contacting the App Store customer support.
