If you’ve noticed unexpected charges from Facebook for ads, there are a few steps you can take to stop these charges and prevent future unwanted ad charges.
Check Your Ad Settings
The first thing to do is check your Facebook ad settings. This will show you if you have any active ad campaigns running that could be generating charges. Here’s how:
- Go to your Facebook page and click on “Settings” in the top right
- Click on “Ads” in the left sidebar
- This will show you an overview of your Facebook ad activity
- Look for any active ad campaigns. If you see any you don’t recognize or didn’t intentionally set up, you’ll want to pause or delete them
Deleting or pausing unwanted ad campaigns will stop them from continuing to run and charge you. Keep in mind you may still see some residual charges from ads that have already run.
Remove Your Payment Method
If you want to prevent any future charges for Facebook ads, you can remove your payment method entirely:
- Go back to the Ads section of your Facebook Settings
- Click “Payment methods” in the left sidebar
- Click the “X” next to any payment method you want to remove
Once your payment method is removed, Facebook will not be able to charge you for any ads. However, this means you won’t be able to run any paid Facebook ad campaigns until you add a new payment method.
Dispute Unauthorized Charges
If you’ve been charged for Facebook ads you never approved or authorized, you can dispute those charges with Facebook or your payment provider:
- Dispute through Facebook: File a dispute through the Facebook Ads Support form explaining the charges were unauthorized. You’ll need to provide dates and amounts of any charges you wish to dispute.
- Dispute with your payment provider: If the charges appear on your credit card or other payment method, you can dispute them directly with your provider. Explain that the Facebook charges were unauthorized or fraudulent.
By disputing unauthorized Facebook ad charges, you may be able to get those fees reversed or refunded. Keep an eye out for any other suspicious charges going forward.
Turn Off Auto-Renewal
If you previously enabled automatic renewal for Facebook ad spends, this could be why you are seeing ongoing unexpected charges. Here’s how to turn auto-renewal off:
- Go to your Facebook Ad settings
- Click “Payments” in the left sidebar
- Locate any automated payments and turn their auto-renewal toggle OFF
With auto-renewal disabled, your Facebook ads will no longer renew and charge you automatically at the end of each billing period.
Double Check Ad Coupons
Another potential source of inadvertent Facebook ad charges is unused ad coupons. Here’s a quick way to check if you have any active coupons:
- Go to your Facebook Ad settings
- Click “Billing” in the left sidebar
- Click “Coupons” at the top
- Review any active coupons here and remove any you’re not actually using
Unused Facebook ad coupons can auto-apply at checkout and cause charges you weren’t expecting. Removing unused coupons prevents this.
Review Account Users
If others have access to your Facebook account, it’s possible they could be running ads without your knowledge. To prevent this:
- Go to your Facebook Settings
- Click “Security and Login” in the left sidebar
- Click “Where You’re Logged In”
- Review the list and remove access for any accounts you don’t recognize
Removing unauthorized account access can prevent unwanted ad charges by those users going forward.
Conclusion
Unexpected Facebook ad charges can occur due to unused ad coupons, automated renewals, unauthorized account access, or other sources. By reviewing your Facebook ad settings, removing payment methods, disputing charges, and revoking third-party access, you can gain control over Facebook ad charges.
If charges do occur, act quickly to pause or delete unwanted ads, disable auto-renewals, and dispute unauthorized transactions. With proper oversight of your Facebook ad account, you can avoid surprise charges in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get charged for Facebook ads I never created?
There are a few potential reasons you may see Facebook ad charges for ads you didn’t create:
- Someone else with access to your account ran ads
- An unused Facebook ad coupon was automatically applied at checkout
- An existing ad campaign was set to auto-renew at the end of its billing period
Can Facebook charge my credit card without permission?
No, Facebook cannot legally charge your credit card without authorization. However, by setting up a Facebook ad account and adding a payment method, you provide permission for Facebook to make charges to that payment method.
What should I do if Facebook won’t refund unauthorized charges?
If you dispute unauthorized Facebook charges but Facebook will not refund you, escalate the issue by submitting a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also contact your state consumer protection agency.
How can I disable Facebook ads permanently?
There is no permanent way to completely disable Facebook ads within your account settings. However, you can remove all payment methods which will prevent charges. You can also install an ad blocker to hide Facebook ads as you browse.
Preventing Unauthorized Charges
To help avoid getting charged for Facebook ads you didn’t create in the future, here are some tips:
- Remove all payment methods from your Facebook account
- Disable auto-renewal for any active ad campaigns
- Delete unused Facebook ad coupons
- Revoke account access from any users or tools you don’t recognize
- Frequently review your Facebook ad reporting for any campaigns you don’t remember setting up
Staying on top of your Facebook ad account activity is the best way to prevent unwanted charges going forward.
Recovering From Unauthorized Charges
If you’ve been hit with Facebook ad charges you didn’t authorize, here are some next steps:
- Pause or delete any active ads/campaigns you don’t recognize
- Dispute the charges through Facebook’s support channels
- Dispute the charges with your payment provider if Facebook won’t refund
- Remove all payment methods to prevent future charges
- Consider additional account security measures like two-factor authentication
Act quickly if you see unauthorized Facebook ad activity so you can minimize losses and secure your account.
When to Seek Additional Help
In most cases, you should be able to resolve unauthorized Facebook ad charges on your own through the steps provided. However, you may want to enlist additional help in these situations:
- You believe your Facebook account was hacked
- The charges are ongoing and you cannot pause the ads
- Facebook will not refund disputed charges
- You are seeing other suspicious account activity beyond Facebook ads
For hacks or compromised accounts, contact Facebook support immediately. You may also need to enlist legal counsel if Facebook refuses to refund fraudulent charges.
Bottom Line
Facebook ad charges when you have no running ad campaigns can be alarming. But through a combination of monitoring your ad settings, removing payment methods, disputing charges, and securing your account, you can take control of the situation.
With vigilance over your Facebook ad activity and quick action when needed, you can halt and reverse unwanted charges as well as prevent recurrences going forward.