What should I do if my VCC isn't working with YouTube Ads?

If your Virtual Credit Card (VCC) isn't working with YouTube Ads (Google Ads), there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Here's a detailed guide on what to do:

1. Check the Error Message
Identify the issue: When your VCC fails to process a payment, Google Ads will typically show an error message with a reason for the failure. This can be seen under Billing > Transactions in Google Ads.

Common error messages:

Card Declined: The VCC provider declined the payment.

Billing Address Mismatch: The billing address on your VCC doesn't match the one on your Google Ads account.

Insufficient Funds: Not enough balance on the VCC to cover the payment.

Suspicious Activity: The payment was flagged for possible fraud or unusual activity.

2. Ensure Your VCC Supports Recurring Payments
Recurring payments: Google Ads for YouTube Ads is a recurring billing service. Some VCCs don't support this type of transaction by default.

Action: Confirm that your VCC provider allows international transactions and recurring payments. If it doesn't, consider using another payment method or a different VCC provider like Revolut, Wise, or Payoneer.

3. Double-Check Your Billing Information
Billing Address Mismatch: Ensure that the billing address registered with your VCC matches the one you entered in Google Ads.

Action: Update the billing address in your Google Ads account if necessary.

Go to Settings > Billing and check if the billing details match the VCC's registered address, including country and zip code.

4. Check for Sufficient Funds
Fund Availability: Ensure your VCC has enough balance to cover the charge. Some providers require a small amount (e.g., $1) for verification purposes.

Action: Verify the VCC has enough funds. If needed, top up the balance.

5. Verify the VCC with Your Provider
Restrictions or Fraud Protection: Some VCCs have strict security measures or fraud detection that can block payments to platforms like Google Ads.

Action: Contact your VCC provider (e.g., Revolut, Wise, Privacy.com) and confirm there are no security blocks or fraud flags preventing the payment from going through.

Ask them to whitelist Google Ads or remove any blocks on online payments.

6. Confirm Card Expiration and Details
Expired Card: If your VCC has expired, the payment will fail.

Incorrect Information: Ensure that all details (card number, expiration date, CVV) are correct in your Google Ads payment settings.

Action: If the card has expired, update the expiration date. If the details are incorrect, make sure the card info entered in Google Ads is accurate.

7. Check Google Ads Account Status
Account Restrictions or Suspensions: Google may restrict or suspend your account if there are issues with your payment method or if there's a history of payment failures.

Action: Go to Google Ads > Billing > Account Settings and ensure there are no alerts or suspension notices. If you see any, you may need to resolve the payment issue or contact Google Ads support.

8. Contact Your VCC Provider
Card-Specific Issues: Your VCC provider may have specific restrictions or limitations preventing the payment from processing.

Action: Contact your VCC provider to ensure the card is set up correctly and doesn't have any restrictions that would block the payment to Google Ads. Ask about:

Fraud detection

International or recurring payment permissions

Any blocks or issues with the card

9. Contact Google Ads Support
If you've addressed all the issues above and your VCC still isn't working, you can reach out to Google Ads Support for further help.

Go to Google Ads Help Center.

Click Contact Us and explain your VCC issue.

You can request support via Live chat, Email, or Phone.

10. Alternative Payment Methods
If VCCs continue to cause problems, consider using a traditional credit card, debit card, or a more widely accepted virtual card provider.

Action: Update your payment method to a traditional credit card or an alternative VCC that is known to work smoothly with Google Ads, such as Payoneer or Revolut.

Pro Tip: Test with a Small Payment First
To avoid large payment failures, it's a good idea to test your payment method with a small ad spend or a one-time charge before committing to a larger budget. This can help identify issues without spending too much.