The offer is the first test
Be suspicious when a stranger guarantees approval, sells a verified account, demands an upfront activation fee or moves immediately to an encrypted chat. Real platforms may verify identity, but that request should happen through an official domain and documented onboarding flow—not through a recruiter's personal upload link.
A polished logo, copied job description or screenshot of earnings is not proof. Check the sender's domain, navigate to the company independently and find the same role on the official site.
Account and location schemes create lasting risk
A purchased account can contain someone else's identity, tax status, devices and payout history. Even if it opens, later verification can freeze earnings or expose both people to fraud. VPN and remote-desktop schemes can also conflict with working-location rules and client data restrictions.
- Never buy, rent or share a contributor account
- Never send an OTP or recovery code
- Do not install remote-control software for a recruiter
- Do not falsify a country or qualification
- Report impersonation through the official platform
What to do after a suspicious contact
Stop the conversation, preserve the username, message and payment request, and verify through the platform's official support channel. If you exposed a password, change it anywhere it was reused and secure the linked email and payout accounts. Contact the payment provider quickly if money was sent.
Frequently asked questions
Do legitimate AI work platforms charge an application fee?
A genuine contractor platform should not require payment merely to apply or unlock work. Separate education services may charge for their own materials, but they cannot sell platform approval.
Is a WhatsApp recruiter always fake?
Not automatically, but verify the person and role independently on an official company domain before sharing documents, clicking links or sending money.
Can someone guarantee that I pass an AI assessment?
No legitimate third party controls the platform's decision. Guarantees often lead to copied answers, impersonation or account theft.