Why was my VCC declined on YouTube Ads?

If your Virtual Credit Card (VCC) was declined on YouTube Ads (via Google Ads), there could be several reasons behind the issue. Here's a breakdown of the most common causes and potential solutions:

1. Insufficient Funds
Issue: Your VCC may not have enough balance to cover the ad spend.

Fix: Verify that there are sufficient funds in your VCC. Some VCC providers require a small buffer (like $1–$2) for verification charges, even if your ad spend is higher.

Check your balance and top up the VCC if needed.

2. Card Expiration
Issue: Your VCC has expired, so Google cannot process the payment.

Fix: Verify the expiration date on the VCC. If it's expired, update the card details in your Google Ads account with the new VCC information.

3. Billing Address Mismatch
Issue: The billing address associated with your VCC doesn't match the billing information in your Google Ads account.

Fix: Ensure the billing address on the VCC is the same as the one you entered in Google Ads.

Update your Google Ads billing address to match exactly what's listed on your VCC (including the country, zip code, etc.).

4. VCC Restrictions
Issue: Many VCCs, especially from certain providers, have restrictions on certain types of payments, such as international transactions or recurring payments.

Fix: Ensure that your VCC supports international payments and recurring transactions.

Contact your VCC provider (e.g., Revolut, Privacy.com, Wise) to verify if they block payments to Google Ads or if the card has specific restrictions.

5. Fraud Protection or Security Blocks
Issue: Your VCC provider may block the transaction due to fraud detection or security measures.

Fix: Contact your VCC provider and ask them to whitelist Google Ads or verify that no security blocks are placed on the card for online payments.

Some VCCs (like Privacy.com) may also flag payments as suspicious if you've been making multiple high-risk transactions.

6. VCC Provider is Not Accepted
Issue: Google Ads may not accept certain VCC providers, especially those that are not widely known or lack global payment support.

Fix: Use a well-known VCC provider (like Revolut, Wise, or Payoneer) which is more likely to be accepted by Google Ads. Check if your VCC is listed as an accepted payment method in Google Ads.

7. Google Ads Payment Verification Failure
Issue: Google Ads may require a verification charge (usually a small amount) to verify the payment method. If the charge is unsuccessful, the payment will be declined.

Fix: Ensure that the VCC is able to accept small authorization charges for verification purposes. If there was an issue with this, try re-entering your VCC details in Google Ads.

8. Account Restrictions or Suspension
Issue: Google may have flagged or restricted your Google Ads account for a variety of reasons, such as policy violations, fraud suspicion, or account inactivity.

Fix: Check if your Google Ads account is under review or suspended. If so, you may need to resolve any policy issues or contact Google Ads support for assistance.

Log into your Google Ads account and check the Account Status under Billing.

9. Multiple Payment Failures
Issue: If there have been multiple failed payment attempts, Google Ads may temporarily block payments from the VCC to prevent fraud.

Fix: Allow some time (usually 24–48 hours) before retrying the payment. Alternatively, use a different payment method (like a traditional credit card) to avoid further payment blocks.

10. Payment Method Update Needed
Issue: If your payment details have changed (for example, the VCC was replaced or canceled), Google Ads may no longer recognize your previous VCC details.

Fix: Update your payment method in Google Ads with the correct VCC or switch to a different payment method (such as a debit or credit card).

What to Do Next?
Verify Card Details: Double-check the expiration date, CVV, and billing address linked to your VCC.

Check the VCC Balance: Ensure that the VCC has enough funds to cover the ad spend and any verification charges.

Contact VCC Provider: Reach out to your VCC provider to ensure there are no blocks or restrictions on the card for payments to Google Ads.

Check Google Ads Account Status: Review your Google Ads account for any alerts, suspensions, or restrictions.

Try a Different Payment Method: If the VCC continues to fail, consider using a traditional credit or debit card as an alternative.

Contact Google Ads Support:
If you've tried the steps above and the issue persists, consider reaching out to Google Ads support for further assistance. You can do so via:

Live Chat

Email

Phone support

Visit the Google Ads Help Center for support options.