How do I resolve the "Card Declined" error for a VCC in Google Ads?

When you encounter a "Card Declined" error for a Virtual Credit Card (VCC) in Google Ads, it's usually related to one of several possible issues. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the error:

1. Check Card Details
Correct Card Information: Ensure that all card details entered (card number, expiration date, CVV) are correct.

Card Type Compatibility: Some virtual cards might not be supported by Google Ads. Ensure your VCC is compatible with Google's payment processing system. For instance, cards like Visa, MasterCard, or American Express are usually supported.

2. Ensure Sufficient Funds
Balance: Make sure there is enough balance on the virtual card to cover the charges you're trying to make. VCCs can sometimes have issues with funds not being available for certain transactions, especially if they are set to a pre-defined limit.

3. Card Limitations
Prepaid Card Limits: Some VCCs have daily or transaction limits that could be causing the decline. Check the terms of your virtual card and ensure you haven't exceeded any limits.

Online Transactions: Confirm that your VCC is authorized for online or international transactions, as some cards restrict these by default.

4. Check Your Payment Profile
Billing Address: Ensure that the billing address tied to the VCC matches the address Google Ads has on file. Any mismatch in the address or postal code can cause a payment failure.

Currency Mismatch: If the card is set to a currency that differs from your Google Ads account currency, you might encounter issues.

5. Payment Verification
Two-Factor Authentication: Some VCCs require additional steps for verification. Ensure that any necessary verification (such as OTP) is completed when prompted.

Issuer Block: Contact your VCC provider to check whether there are any blocks on your card that prevent it from being used for transactions with Google Ads. Some issuers may block payments to certain platforms.

6. Account and Google Ads Issues
Suspended Google Ads Account: If your Google Ads account has been suspended or flagged for any reason, payments will be declined. Check your account status in the Google Ads dashboard and resolve any issues.

Google Ads Billing Threshold: If your billing threshold is too low, Google may attempt to charge you more frequently, causing a card decline if your VCC doesn't have enough funds to cover these charges.

7. Try an Alternative Payment Method
If all else fails, try adding a different payment method temporarily, such as a credit card or PayPal, to ensure your campaigns continue running.

8. Contact Google Support
If you've gone through the above steps and still can't resolve the issue, contact Google Ads Support for assistance. They can sometimes provide more detailed information about the decline.