MCC - Accounts at Risk?

They would certainly be at risk and it is best not to do it.

An MCC account is simply a special type of account, a tool, that helps managing many accounts easier. What happens to one account does not affect the others.

Hi B Set,

As usual, LucidWebMarketing is spot on in his description.

All accounts managed by your MCC are separate accounts. The owners of those accounts are responsible to Google for whatever happens in those accounts. Naturally, the AdWords account owners will likely hold you responsible for any actions, or inaction on your part, but Google generally holds the account owner responsible. That's not to say that you cannot be personally banned from accessing any AdWords accounts for any especially egregious policy violations that you personally initiate. That's not going to impact accounts that were not party to those violations. They can simply replace you with a new account manager.

In the event that you or your client were to suffer a transgression initiated by a 3rd party, you can usually appeal to Google, they will investigate and if they find no fault on you or your client's part, they will lift a suspension for the innocent parties. I have found this to be true through personal experience.

I agree that in theory that one account shouldn't affect the others in an MCC. In practice, it is very likely that Google will review the other accounts to see whether they belong to the same owner or not. Unless you are absolutely certain that you can make each account distinct, I would not take the risk. I have had over 20 accounts banned and I know that Google has got very sophisticated about detecting owners of previously banned accounts.