A Microsoft for Startups customer received an unexpected $16,000 Azure bill after Microsoft portals displayed conflicting credit balances. The inaccurate balance encouraged continued AI usage, while the subscription had already switched to pay-as-you-go after the credits were exhausted, exposing a problem that could affect other businesses relying on the programme.

The company’s Founders Hub portal showed credits remaining, but the Azure Sponsorships portal correctly reported a zero balance. Microsoft blamed an ongoing backend synchronisation issue with no estimated resolution date; notifications also went to a former administrator, and Microsoft had not confirmed whether it would waive the charges.