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nburhans01

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 5, 2023
3
1
I am hoping someone on here might be able to help me out with a situation I’m in. My iCloud account was stolen from a person impersonating Apple Card. My trusted phone number and password have been changed. I am unable to go through the verification process because the person pulls me out of verification each time I begin the process. I have come to the harsh reality that I just have to wipe my brand new iPhone 15 pro max and make a new Apple ID. Problem is I’m still logged in but my phone just asks for a password for I cannot turn off find my iPhone. I have requested an activation lock from Apple three times and each time they have brined the unlock. The last two times were because I was in verification mode. I definitely was not the last time I requested the unlock. My question is do I have any third party options if Apple keeps refusing the unlock? I have my original receipt and I’m the original owner. I still have 35 more months to pay on my phone. Any help at all will be greatly appreciated. I have been in touch with Apple senior advisors and Apple executive customer support. None have been able to help.
 
So sorry this is happening to you! Hope some of the folks here can give you advice. Possibly go tp your local Apple Store with your ID and receipt to see if they can help?
Thanks, truly hope someone has an idea. I have spent over a week trying to fix things. I have tried to contact my closest Apple Store to try to get help. I could never get through to anyone. I want to make sure they could help before traveling 45 minutes each way.
 
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You have one option only and that is to take the device to an Apple Retail Store and have them remove the activation lock but you will need the original proof of purchase. If you bought your device at an ARS or from Apple online, it’s easy for them to help you. I worked as a Senior Advisor for 8yrs and whenever someone couldn’t start/finish account recovery (as in your situation), I would tell them to bring their original proof of purchase to the ARS so they can verify you are the device owner. They can typically remove an activation lock within a few minutes. Apple Support cannot and could never remove that for customers. The website option only works for about 50% of the people who make the request and that’s primarily because they can’t provide the documentation or…they are in an active account recovery in which case Apple will deny their request. Calling the Apple Store is pointless, ALL those calls get directed to Apple Support. One more thing…make sure the proof of purchase shows the device serial or IMEI because they have to verify that by the documentation. Hope that helps.
 
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You have one option only and that is to take the device to an Apple Retail Store and have them remove the activation lock but you will need the original proof of purchase. If you bought your device at an ARS or from Apple online, it’s easy for them to help you. I worked as a Senior Advisor for 8yrs and whenever someone couldn’t start/finish account recovery (as in your situation), I would tell them to bring their original proof of purchase to the ARS so they can verify you are the device owner. They can typically remove an activation lock within a few minutes. Apple Support cannot and could never remove that for customers. The website option only works for about 50% of the people who make the request and that’s primarily because they can’t provide the documentation or…they are in an active account recovery in which case Apple will deny their request. Calling the Apple Store is pointless, ALL those calls get directed to Apple Support. One more thing…make sure the proof of purchase shows the device serial or IMEI because they have to verify that by the documentation. Hope that helps.
Do I need a genius appointment or can I walk in and ask for the unlock? I have the original receipt, packing slip and and other info they need. I will drive over on Thursday, which is my next day off. Thank you so much for the info!
 
I’d suggest the appointment so you are not turned away or waiting around all day. When you go to the appointment, be calm and courteous and just tell them you do not have access to your iCloud account and just want to get the activation lock removed as you have no other options. I’ve left you a personal DM with some additional helpful info after your issue is resolved and you are certainly welcome!
 
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