Google Ads Account Suspended for Suspicious Payment: How to Lift the Ban?

Getting your Google Ads account suspended for suspicious payments can be an unsettling and frustrating experience.

Vague warnings like ‘can’t verify billing information’ make it hard to solve this problem, and when you try to open another Google Ads account, quite often, it will be suspended too. Sending appeals doesn’t seem to work because you still don’t get a concrete reason behind the ban.

Your business and lifestyle could be dependent on the success of your Google ad campaigns, and so, this setback is not one you can ignore.

Read on to understand the reasons for a ban and steps that could help you save your suspended Google Ads account.

What Google Means by “Suspicious Payment Activity”

Usually, Google sends you an email stating that your account is suspended as a result of payment problems. Some messages you get include can’t verify billing information or payment labeled suspicious.

If Google Ads sees suspicious payment activity, the platform will suspend that account. They take user experience and legal requirements seriously.

When you have your Google Ads account suspended, you can’t create ads or run them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t log into your account to view reports.

You can also have associated merchant accounts banned for being linked to Google Ads account, and any other accounts linked by email or payment method to the manager could be suspended too. Furthermore, even if you create another account, it could be immediately suspended.

When Does Your Google Ads Account Get Suspended For Suspicious Payment Activity?

If an account violates the terms and conditions set by Google Ads, it may be suspended. These terms and conditions are in place to create and maintain a good user experience for searchers and advertisers alike. Below, we’ll be looking at specific activities that lead to an account ban.

• If Google can’t know if your billing information checks out, they may ban your account. Also, irregular payment behavior can lead to a ban.
• If Google doesn’t accept your card, your account may be suspended.
• Using a card already associated with an active or banned account can get your new account banned.
• Virtual cards generated online could get your account banned, as can prepaid cards, stolen cards, and using any cards that aren’t registered to your name.

 
Unfortunately, many innocent advertisers fall foul of Google policies. As Google’s algorithms can sometimes make a mistake when trying to track accounts that violate its terms and conditions.

And to make matters worse, Google won’t always be specific about the perceived infractions, which leaves advertisers confused and frustrated.

So, what can you do?

How to Rescue a Suspended Google Ads Account

Go through Google’s terms and conditions thoroughly. While this may be time-consuming, this is much better than having a banned account.

Google is a major corporation with a lot to lose if dragged into legal battles caused by unethical advertisers or questionable marketing practices. Your ad budget isn’t worth this risk to the company, so they will cut you off if you’re suspected of fraudulent payment activities.

So, when creating your Google Ads account, use the right information and payment cards. If your account has been suspended, use a card you own. Make sure it isn’t associated with any other Google account. Check for unpaid bills for Google services and resolve said issues, and double-check that all your billing information is accurate.

Appeal the Account Suspension

You have to submit an appeal immediately and contact Google Ads phone numbers to get help. If you haven’t defaulted at all, let them know that when you file your appeal.

Confirm the information you fill is correct and in the right order. Then fill the Google Ads appeal form and click on submit to proceed: https://support.google.com/google-ads/contact/pf_suspended. Your appeal will be reviewed, and you’ll receive a response within three working days. A specialist will then help you with resolving the issues on your account.

Google Ads Payment Methods

The payment method you use will depend on your country and the currency you wish to pay for your ads. While Google Ads reviews your account, your payment settings might be restricted. There are three main payment methods, which we’ll discuss below:

Automatic Payments

With this method of payment, you first run ads, and then the costs are charged to your primary payment method. You pay using a credit card or through bank transfer.

The availability of payment methods is based on your country or currency. You’ll know what’s available to you when you sign up for Google Ads. To avoid having setbacks because of payment issues, it’s advisable to have a backup credit card. If you want to do this, add extra forms.

 
For automatic payments, you’re charged when your ad costs reach an agreed limit or after 30 days of running your campaign — whichever comes first.

If you exceed your payment limit within a month, then that limit will be increased for the next month. This is why it’s important to check your account’s payment limit every month. Payment limits differ from account to account.

Manual Payments

With manual payments, you can foot ad costs before your campaign runs. You pay Google Ads some money, your ads run, and costs are deducted as the campaign runs.

This payment method isn’t available to everyone. You may not notice your eligibility when signing up. All accounts start with the automatic payment method before a few can change to the manual payment method.

Here’s a list of countries and continents where the manual payment method is invalid.

Monthly Invoicing

This type of payment method is available to businesses that meet specific criteria. Some of them include:

• Must be spending at least $5,000 per month on ad costs for three months in the current year. This could differ depending on your country and currency.
• Should have a Google Ads account for at least a year without defaulting incidents.
• Should be registered for at least a year. This is to show the legitimacy of your business in the eyes of your government.

 
If you qualify for this monthly invoicing payment setting, you can use checks, cards, or bank transfers to cover your ad bills.

Wrap Up

Google Ads policies are easy to follow, but many people can veer off the straight and narrow to end up in troubled waters. If your Google Ads account is suspended for suspicious payment activity, this guide is the solution you need.

Take your time and be patient as this is no quick fix. Just know that the grunt work will pay off as you won’t just get the ban on your Ads account removed, but you also increase your chances of not having your Google Ads account banned again.

You can find out more about this Google Ads account suspensions in our post about the circumventing system policy violation in Google Ads.