# Account Standing, Holds, and Appeals (https://terac.com/docs/experts/policies/account-standing)

What keeps your account in good standing, what can lead to a suspension, and how to get help if your account is restricted.

Most experts never have to think about this page. Your account is active by default, and ordinary participation keeps it that way. This page explains what good standing means, what can put it at risk, and what to do if your account is ever restricted.

## What Good Standing Means [#what-good-standing-means]

An account in good standing can browse opportunities, apply, complete studies, and cash out normally. You keep your account in good standing by:

* Keeping **one account per person**
* Providing **accurate** profile and identity information
* Giving **honest, genuine** responses in studies
* **Following study instructions** and completing the work you start
* **Keeping your sign-in secure** and never sharing access to your account

## What Does Not Put Your Account at Risk [#what-does-not-put-your-account-at-risk]

Some normal outcomes worry people unnecessarily. The following are part of participating and do not, on their own, harm your standing:

* **Being screened out** of a study you did not match
* An **occasional rejected submission**
* **Leaving** a study you chose not to finish

See [Understanding Submissions](https://terac.com/docs/experts/working/submissions) for what each of these means.

## What Can Lead to a Suspension or Ban [#what-can-lead-to-a-suspension-or-ban]

Account actions are reserved for serious or repeated problems. These include:

* Creating **multiple or duplicate accounts**
* **Fraudulent activity** or attempting to manipulate or game studies
* Providing **false identity or demographic information**
* Giving **knowingly false, scripted, or AI-generated responses** in interviews or surveys
* **Sharing, selling, or renting** your account, or using someone else's

These violate our [Terms of Service](https://terac.com/docs/experts/policies/terms). A ban removes access to the platform, and when an account is closed for cause, pending earnings, and in some cases earlier earnings, may be withheld.

> **Warning**
>
> Account closures for cause are permanent. Because each person may only have
> one account, we cannot create a replacement account after a closure.

## How Account Reviews Work [#how-account-reviews-work]

Bans are decided by a person on our team, who reviews the account first. Some limits are automatic, such as not being able to use Terac from a region where it is not available yet. If your account is restricted, you will see a notice the next time you sign in.

## If You Think Your Account Was Restricted by Mistake [#if-you-think-your-account-was-restricted-by-mistake]

If your account has been restricted and you believe it is an error, you can ask us to review it:

1. Email **[support@terac.com](mailto:support@terac.com)** from the email on your account, since you may not be able to sign in to chat with Sophia
2. Include your account email and any relevant details or screenshots
3. Our team will review your case and respond

We cannot guarantee an outcome, but every appeal is read by a person.

## What's Next? [#whats-next]

* Read the [Terms of Service summary](https://terac.com/docs/experts/policies/terms)
* Learn to spot scams in [Staying Safe](https://terac.com/docs/experts/support/staying-safe)
* Review [Understanding Submissions](https://terac.com/docs/experts/working/submissions)