Pirated software

Question

There are sellers on the New Zealand Trademe auction site who are blatantly selling volume licenses for 2024 Office Professional software.

At least one of them has been doing it for a few years now but Trademe does nothing.

Here's a couple links:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/software/ms-office/listing/5984243043

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/software/ms-office/listing/5982363097

Answer 1

Hello

You can report here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/cfr/reportSince the sellers are representing these keys as “100% genuine” retail licenses, the matter could also be reported to the New Zealand Commerce Commission as potentially misleading online sales conduct.

Answer 2

Volume licenses such as Office Professional, Office Professional Plus, or other “Plus”/LTSC editions are intended for organizations and are not legitimate consumer products when sold as standalone keys on auction or discount sites. Such offers are a common sign of counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized Microsoft software.

To address suspected piracy or fraudulent reselling of Microsoft Office keys:

1. Do not purchase from these listings, especially when:
   • The seller offers “Professional” or “Professional Plus” volume licenses to individuals.
   • Prices are far below normal retail.
   • The seller does not provide a proper product key that can be associated with a Microsoft account, or claims the license is “device-bound” and not tied to an account.
2. Report the suspected counterfeit or fraudulent activity to Microsoft using the official reporting channel at the Microsoft “How to Tell” site. From there, submit a counterfeit report with details of the seller and listings.
3. If already affected (for example, a key later proves invalid or blocked):
   • Contact the seller to request a refund.
   • If the seller refuses, stop using the suspect software and obtain a genuine Office license directly from Microsoft or another trusted, authorized reseller.

Microsoft devotes substantial effort to investigating such reports and takes appropriate action when counterfeit or unauthorized distribution is confirmed.

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References:

• Stay safe with a genuine Office license
• Error code 0xC004C060 when activating Office
• Where to enter your Office product key
• About Genuine Windows
• Description of Microsoft Product Activation for legacy products
• Office suites for enterprise, business, education, and government
• I have office 2024 can i still get publisher? - Microsoft Q&A
• properkeys - Microsoft Q&A
• Activate Office 2024 - Microsoft Q&A
• I purchased Office Professional 2024 and downloaded it, but when I click on any of the Apps to update they say Office Pro 2021 - Microsoft Q&A
• Theft/Fraud Associated with my Office Product Key. - Microsoft Q&A
• Create a Marketplace listing