If the key is already used when you activate it, Steam will give you a message that the key is already in use. Support will not give you more information beyond that.
Note that trading for cd-keys is extremely dangerous. The user with the original physical key can use it to revoke your game, or worse take over your entire account.
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If you attempt to activate a key and it turns out to be invalid/already used, is there a way for Steam support to find out when and by whom it was activated?
Is there a specific error given for a key that is simply invalid (such as not a Steam game or just garbage) vs. already activated..?
Just curious mostly - with all the scamming involving keys I would be very cautious about trying to do anything with one but it would be somewhat reassuring to know there was a means to identify a ripoff, hopefully before becoming the ripoffee
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