Account Locked Due to Billing Issue - Unable to Use GitHub Actions on Free Tier (Open-Source Project)

[antilopa1144-tech]

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Question

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Hello GitHub Community,

I'm experiencing a billing-related issue that's preventing me from using GitHub Actions, and I'm hoping someone can provide guidance or help escalate this to GitHub Support.

Issue Description

All GitHub Actions workflows in my repository are failing with the error:

"The job was not started because your account is locked due to a billing issue."

Account Details

• Username: @antilopa1144-tech
• • Repository: https://github.com/antilopa1144-tech/probrab1
• • Current Plan: GitHub Free
• • Payment Status: "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed"

Situation

I am developing an open-source project (a construction materials calculator app) and am using only the free tier of GitHub. I do not require any paid features and should be well within the free tier limits (2,000 Actions minutes per month). However, my account appears to be locked, requiring payment method verification.

Geographic Limitation

I am located in a region where adding international payment methods to GitHub is currently not possible due to payment processor restrictions. I am unable to add a valid payment card to complete the authorization hold.

Request

Could anyone advise on:

1. Why a free tier account would be locked for billing issues?
2. 2. How to unlock my account for GitHub Actions usage under the free tier?
3. 3. If there's an alternative verification method available for my situation?
      I only need access to free tier features and do not plan to use any paid services. This is an open-source educational project.

Thank you for any assistance!

[teobaranga]

I have the exact same issue. Only free tier usage and I never needed to add a payment method before. I even reached out to support but it's been a week and nothing.

[kenkit]

I have the same problem I wanted to go back to free, but this has been going on for months