Unauthorized Google Ads charges

Are you having trouble understanding or identifying a Google Ads charge? Use this troubleshooter for unidentified Google Ads charges.

 

Verify the charges are from Google Ads

You may want to confirm that the charge is actually from Google Ads by comparing it with the examples below. The charge may contain a 10-digit number, which is the Google Ads customer ID associated with the account that received the charge.

• If you don't recognize the 10-digit number, you may want to check with family, colleagues, or friends who might have created an account for you. In that case, you can work with them directly to get access to the account.
• If you don't have the account information, fill out the following form: I lost my login information.
• If you've confirmed that the Google Ads account is yours and you'd like to learn more about charges that were made, then read understanding why you've been charged. To dispute a charge, you may want to submit a chargeback.

I don't have a Google Ads account

• If you’ve confirmed that you don't have a Google Ads account, but you received a charge from Google Ads, contact us immediately with a scan or screenshot of your bank or credit card statement, and we'll be happy to help. 
• If there are charges from another Google product (but not a Google Ads account), then you can review a list of examples of charge descriptions for other Google products. Keep in mind: Google Ads support can't resolve payment issues for non-Google Ads products.

How Google Ads charges appear on your statement

The way that Google Ads charges appear on your credit card or bank statement can vary depending on the credit card you're using. Typically, here's what you can expect to see if you're using the following payment methods:

Visa or MasterCard

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using Visa or MasterCard to pay, you might see any of the following charges on your statement:

• GOOGLE ADS. [e-mail]
• GOOGLE*GOOG[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*SVCS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*ADWS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

If you notice more than one customer ID on your statement, it might mean that you have more than one Google Ads account associated with that payment method.

American Express

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using American Express to pay, you might see any of the following on your statement:

• GOOGLE LTD. [e-mail] GOOGLE ADS ADVERTISING
• GOOGLE INC. [e-mail] GOOGLE ADS ADVERTISING
• GOOGLE*SVCS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*ADWS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

If you notice more than one customer ID on your statement, it might mean that you have more than one Google Ads account associated with that payment method.

Bank account (direct debit)

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using direct debit to pay, you might see any of the following on your statement:

• Goog_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• Google_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• Google[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOOGLE_A[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE ADS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

Sometimes a banking delay causes the charge to be shown on your bank statement a few days after it's shown on your Summary page. For example, a charge might be shown on your Summary page as occurring on April 7, but it appears on your bank statement on April 10. This kind of delay is normal.

Next steps

• Help keep your account more secure by using 2-step verification.
• Learn how costs are calculated in Google Ads.
• Understanding why you were charged.