How do I prevent Facebook Ads from charging my VCC twice for the same transaction?

Getting double-charged on a VCC by Facebook Ads is frustrating — especially since VCCs often have limited balances and tight caps. Here's how to prevent Facebook from charging your VCC twice for the same transaction:

🔁 Why Double Charges Happen
Before we jump into solutions, here's why this happens:

Authorization Holds: Facebook places a hold to verify the card, and then charges it later. Sometimes both show up as "charges" temporarily.

Payment Retry Logic: If the first attempt fails or is pending too long, Facebook might retry the same charge, resulting in two pending transactions.

Glitchy VCCs: Some VCC providers don't update transaction statuses quickly, making it look like the first charge failed when it didn't.

✅ How to Prevent Double Charges
1. Use a Stable VCC Provider
Choose a reputable VCC with proper support for authorization holds (e.g., Privacy.com, Revolut, Capital One Eno).

Some low-tier VCCs don't differentiate between holds and charges, leading to duplicate issues.

2. Don't Cancel/Refresh the VCC After the First Attempt
Facebook's billing system may retry the same payment ID if the charge isn't confirmed.

If you rotate or delete the card too quickly, it might trigger a second charge attempt.

3. Set a Clear Spend Limit — But Not Too Low
Set your VCC limit just above the expected charge amount. If it's too low, Facebook might try to charge in smaller increments, which can lead to multiple transactions.

4. Avoid Rapid Manual Top-Ups
Topping up your VCC in response to a failed payment can cause Facebook to immediately retry the charge, resulting in multiple hits.

5. Monitor Your Payment Activity in Real Time
Watch for:

An "Authorization hold" followed by a final charge.

If both are deducted, one should fall off within a few days.

Check Facebook's Billing > Transactions section to see what they claim to have charged.

📞 What to Do If It Happens
If you do get charged twice:

Wait 3–5 business days — one of the charges is often just an authorization that drops off.

If it doesn't drop:

Contact Facebook Ads Support with your transaction IDs.

File a dispute with your VCC provider if Facebook doesn't resolve it.