What to do if your account is compromised

Keeping your account safe is a top priority, and Google Ads has many safeguards in place to ensure that your account is safe.

However, if we think that your account has been compromised for any reason, we’ll temporarily suspend your Google Ads account to stop your ads from serving, and also disable your Google account, in order to minimise any potential damage. Once we disable your Google account, you won’t be able to use any products such as YouTube, Gmail and other Google products associated with that Google account.

If your Google Ads account has been suspended due to unauthorised account access, or if you simply suspect unauthorised account access, please take the following steps, so that we can help you access your account as soon as possible.

1. Recover your Google account.  

2. Report your compromised Google Ads account.

3. If you have a dedicated account manager, call them straight away.

4. Once you’ve recovered your account, enable 2-step verification for your Google account. Please note that if there are any charges from unauthorised activity in your Google Ads account, this step will be required to begin the reimbursement process. Learn more about 2-step verification.

Once you take these steps, we’ll be able to investigate your account right away. We’ll check for and remove unauthorised activity from your Google Ads account (for example, campaigns created while your account was compromised). We’ll reactivate your Google Ads account, and once 2-step verification is enabled in your account, process reimbursements for any charges that resulted from unauthorised activity. You’ll also receive a detailed investigation report within 2 working days of completing step 2.

We’re here to help if your account is ever compromised. But to help ensure your account’s continued safety, we recommend taking all possible steps to keep your account secure.