Today, I tried for the third time to complete the cancellation process to get my Google AdSense account closed. As before, I filled out their cancellation form. However, in the section explaining the reason why one is closing the account, in the Other category I entered something new, the URL of the post that describes the difficulty a) verifying a phone number one hasn't got - because one hasn't a phone - and, b) with that never being resolved, closing the account.
Unlike previously, within minutes I received the following generic response - I've the damn thing memorized I've seen it so many times.
We are unable to cancel your account because you currently have payment holds on your account.
This would be the PHONE VERIFICATION hold.
Until you remove the payment holds or indicate your desire not to receive your unpaid earnings, we will be unable to close your account. Please note that we only pay out earnings that are greater than the cancellation threshold.
The cancellation threshold is $10.
Please do one of the following:
1. If you wish to be paid for your remaining earnings (above the cancellation threshold): - Remove the holds from your account.
Sigh...
Once you have removed all holds from your account, you may submit a new request for us to cancel your account...
2. If you do not wish to be paid for your remaining earnings and would like to close your account now: Please complete this form. The form will require you to acknowledge that you prefer not to receive your earnings and wish to close your account.
As it happens, before I'd removed Google AdSense, this blog had earned $14.58 from the program. That amount exceeds the $10 cancellation threshold for payment. But because no phone = no phone verification = no payment, it doesn't matter how much I'd have earned. According to Google AdSense policy, I'd never get paid. There was no point, therefore, maintaining the account. Hence, my determination to get rid of the thing.
So I proceeded with option #2, as I'd done twice before. This time, the auto-response was different though:
Thank you for taking the time to write to us. As per your request, we have permanently closed your account.
Since your account balance totalled less than $10, your unpaid earnings will not be issued.
Don't you love the way the big guys shape reality to screw the little guys?
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