What happens if my VCC is expired but still linked to Pinterest Ads?

If your Virtual Credit Card (VCC) is expired but still linked to your Pinterest Ads account, several issues could arise. Here's a breakdown of what can happen and what you should do to resolve it:

1. Payment Failures
Transaction Declines: When Pinterest Ads attempts to process a payment using your expired VCC, it will likely result in a declined transaction because expired cards cannot be used for payments. Pinterest's system will detect this and may flag the payment as unsuccessful.

Account Payment Issues: If the payment fails and your account has insufficient funds or a failed transaction, your ad campaigns could stop running, and your account may be suspended or limited until the issue is resolved.

2. Account Suspension or Restriction
Temporary Suspension: If Pinterest cannot process a payment due to an expired VCC, your Pinterest Ads account may be temporarily suspended or have its payment method flagged for review.

Ad Campaign Paused: Your active ad campaigns will likely be paused until the payment issue is resolved. This means your ads won't run, and you may lose valuable time and ad spend.

Potential Long-Term Impact: If you do not update the payment method and continue to have failed payments, Pinterest could impose further restrictions or, in the worst case, permanently suspend your account.

3. Manual Account Review
Account Review: Pinterest's fraud detection system might trigger a manual review if there's a failed payment or multiple failed payment attempts. If Pinterest notices an expired VCC still linked to your account, they may require you to update your payment method and verify your account.

Delayed Processing: Even if the expired VCC is not immediately flagged, payment issues may delay the processing of your ad campaigns and cause other disruptions.

4. Possible Loss of Ad Spend
Unsuccessful Charges: If you have outstanding balances or scheduled payments that cannot be processed due to the expired VCC, your ad spend may not be deducted, and your ads could be paused until a new valid payment method is added.

Unused Funds: If the failed payment is tied to a prepaid or virtual funds balance, those funds may be locked until the payment issue is resolved.

5. Notifications from Pinterest Ads
Alert Notifications: Pinterest should notify you if there's an issue with your payment method (e.g., expired VCC). You may receive an email or in-platform alert informing you of the failed payment, prompting you to update your VCC details.

Payment Failure Alerts: If you don't take action and update the payment method promptly, the system may continue to alert you about the failed payment until it's resolved.

6. Impact on Future Ad Campaigns
New Campaigns Won't Run: If you attempt to launch new ad campaigns without updating your expired VCC, the payment will fail, and the campaigns won't be able to run.

Potential Rejection of New Payment Methods: In some cases, if Pinterest detects multiple issues with expired or invalid payment methods, they may be more cautious when accepting new payment methods, leading to delays or additional account reviews.

What You Should Do:
Update Your Payment Method Immediately: If your VCC has expired, you should update it with a new, valid payment method as soon as possible. You can either update the expiration date on your VCC (if supported by your provider) or add a new VCC or traditional debit/credit card.

Review Account and Payment History: Log into your Pinterest Ads account and review your payment history to check for any failed payments. Look for any notifications or alerts regarding the payment failure.

Check for Suspensions or Restrictions: Ensure that your account is not temporarily suspended or restricted. If it is, you may need to resolve the payment issue before the suspension is lifted.

Contact Pinterest Support if Necessary: If you're unable to resolve the issue by updating your VCC or payment method, contact Pinterest Ads support. They can assist you in resolving the payment issue and reinstating any paused campaigns.

Ensure Future Payments Are Smooth: Going forward, ensure that your VCC is valid, has sufficient funds, and is consistently linked to your account. Avoid using VCCs that might expire soon, or have a backup payment method ready in case of issues.

Conclusion:
An expired VCC linked to your Pinterest Ads account can cause payment failures, account suspensions, and paused campaigns. To avoid disruptions, you should update your payment method promptly and ensure that your VCC is valid and funded. Monitoring your account for alerts and addressing payment issues quickly can help maintain a smooth ad experience.