# The API key has been stolen. Why didn't the maximum limit I set take effect? **URL:** \ **Category:** API\ **Tags:** api-billing-problem\ **Created:** [April 18, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376 "2024-04-18T14:36:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![whitebird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bb73d2/32.png) [@whitebird](https://community.openai.com/u/whitebird)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/1 "2024-04-18T14:36:50Z")
![Screenshot 2024-04-17 at 1.14.07 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/original/4X/7/b/6/7b60eaa96dfd93f16eed03e671a83aad3d95aca5.png) I certainly understand that API keys can be compromised. Therefore, I initially set the maximum limit at $120. However, it has been misused for over $3000 now. Why doesn’t OpenAI stop the API key usage after reaching the set limit of $120? I did not proactively increase the limit. Is OpenAI responsible for this situation? How can it be resolved? I am willing to pay, but the excess amount needs to be removed. I have been a trustworthy user and have been making payments below $80 every month for the past few months. ---
**Author:** ![trenton.dambrowitz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/trenton.dambrowitz/32/146436_2.png) [@trenton.dambrowitz](https://community.openai.com/u/trenton.dambrowitz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/2 "2024-04-18T14:39:51Z")
Ouch. Welcome to the Dev Community @whitebird , sorry it’s with such frustrating news. This might help: > [@Monthly set payment limit being exceeded](https://community.openai.com/t/monthly-set-payment-limit-being-exceeded/689310/4): > > the place would be API-\>Feedback in the help option of the API platform account. ---
**Author:** ![trenton.dambrowitz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/trenton.dambrowitz/32/146436_2.png) [@trenton.dambrowitz](https://community.openai.com/u/trenton.dambrowitz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/5 "2024-04-18T16:57:43Z")
[https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6614161-how-can-i-contact-support](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6614161-how-can-i-contact-support) Let’s not jump to any conclusions, support is limited by their resources but is still very much available. ---
**Author:** ![whitebird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bb73d2/32.png) [@whitebird](https://community.openai.com/u/whitebird)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 4:28am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/6 "2024-04-20T04:28:56Z")
Contacted in this way for several days now, no one replies, all AI replies, OpenAI financial issues should be strengthened, this can easily cause loss of quality users. Also cause us troubled. ![Screenshot 2024-04-20 at 12.24.24 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/original/4X/f/f/8/ff871b3df60e8a44bc9e975297974494d0474f00.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![hsyhhssyy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/hsyhhssyy/32/484545_2.png) [@hsyhhssyy](https://community.openai.com/u/hsyhhssyy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:28am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/7 "2024-10-22T06:28:27Z")
I encountered the same issue. Did you solve your problem now? ---
**Author:** ![phyde1001](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/phyde1001/32/711957_2.png) [@phyde1001](https://community.openai.com/u/phyde1001)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:52am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/the-api-key-has-been-stolen-why-didnt-the-maximum-limit-i-set-take-effect/721376/8 "2024-10-22T06:52:12Z")
Hi hsyhhssyy, I appreciate your concern but resurrecting issues from 6 months ago and submitting multiple requests only exacerbates issues. Not only for yourself but also for other users seeking help. You will only bury your own post in the same category and have forum members answer the exact same question. Your best option is to wait for other forum members to add to the advice in your previous thread and wait for OpenAI to respond.