AI training job scam warnings
The platforms are real, but scammers use their names. Six rules that protect you, plus every platform's official domains.
Recruiters who contact you on WhatsApp, Telegram or text
Real AI-training platforms apply through their own websites. The FTC warns that unexpected job-offer texts and chats are usually scams, often pitching 'online assessor' or task work.
Sources: consumer.ftc.gov
Anyone asking you to pay to work or to withdraw 'earnings'
Legitimate platforms never charge sign-up, training, equipment or withdrawal-unlock fees. 'Pay to get paid' task scams caused record losses according to the FTC.
Sources: consumer.ftc.gov · ftc.gov · mindrift.ai
Lookalike domains
Scammers copy real platform names on slightly different domains (for example a fake 'Data Annotation Tech' site on .cc domains, and Handshake lookalikes like joinhandhsake.com). Only use the official domains listed on each platform page.
Sources: aitraining.jobs · aitraining.jobs
Account selling, renting and 'account management'
Some social-media accounts openly offer to buy, sell or 'manage' Outlier, Mercor, Handshake or DataAnnotation accounts. This breaks platform terms (accounts require your own ID and bank account) and can get you banned or robbed.
Sources: x.com · talent.docs.mercor.com
Sharing your SSN or bank login in a chat
Platforms collect tax and ID details only inside their own onboarding (often via Persona, Stripe or Deel). Never send your Social Security number or bank login over WhatsApp.
Sources: consumer.ftc.gov
Letting a large balance build up
Workers on several platforms report frozen balances after sudden account reviews. Withdraw earnings as soon as they clear.
Sources: trustpilot.com · aitraining.jobs
Official domains
If a message, link or email isn't from one of these, treat it as fake.
| Platform | Official domains |
|---|---|
| Mercor | mercor.com, work.mercor.com |
| Outlier | outlier.ai, app.outlier.ai |
| DataAnnotation | dataannotation.tech, app.dataannotation.tech |
| micro1 | micro1.ai, micro1.io, micro1.co |
| Mindrift | mindrift.ai |
| Alignerr | alignerr.com, app.alignerr.com, labelbox.com |
| Handshake AI | joinhandshake.com |
| Turing | turing.com, work.turing.com |
| Prolific | prolific.com |
| Appen (CrowdGen) | appen.com, crowdgen.com, jobs.lever.co/appen |
| TELUS Digital AI Community | telusdigital.com, telusinternational.ai |
| Invisible (Meridial) | meridial.ai, marketplace.inv.tech, invisibletech.ai |
| Remotasks | remotasks.com |
| OneForma | oneforma.com, oneformabycentific.com |
| AfterQuery | afterquery.com, experts.afterquery.com |
| xAI AI Tutor | x.ai, job-boards.greenhouse.io/xai |
Checked 2026-10-17. Report scams to the platform and, in the US, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.