Staying Safe: Spotting Fraud and Scams

Terac is a safe place to do research work, and keeping it that way is a shared effort. This page helps you recognize scams, protect your account, and report anything that looks wrong.

Terac Will Never Ask You For

• A password or login code. You sign in through LinkedIn, Google, Facebook, or Microsoft, so Terac never needs you to type a Terac password or share a one-time code.
• A payment to participate. Taking studies is always free. You never pay to apply, to unlock studies, or to receive your earnings.
• Your bank account or card number to get paid. Payouts go through your Terac balance and Virtual Incentives. We do not need your banking details to send a payout.
• Personal documents over email or chat. Identity verification only happens inside the official flow with our partner Persona, never by email request.

Red Flags in a Study or Message

Be cautious if you are ever asked to:

• Pay money, send a deposit, or buy gift cards as part of a study
• Share sensitive details that were not disclosed upfront, such as your full bank details, government document numbers, passwords, or login codes
• Download an unexpected file or visit an unfamiliar website that feels off
• Move the conversation or payment off Terac, for example to a personal email, messaging app, or external payment service
• Accept an offer that seems too good to be true

Legitimate studies keep everything inside Terac, and legitimate payouts never require a fee.

Protecting Your Account

• Secure your sign-in provider. Because you log in through LinkedIn, Google, Facebook, or Microsoft, enabling two-factor authentication on that account also protects your Terac access.
• Never share access to your account. Account sharing violates our Terms of Service.
• Watch for phishing. Scammers may send emails that imitate Terac. Genuine Terac email comes from an @terac.com address, and our support address is support@terac.com. We will never ask for your credentials by email.

How to Report Something Suspicious

• If a study or message looks like a scam, contact support with details and screenshots.
• If you think your account has been compromised, contact support immediately so we can help secure it.

What's Next?

• Review Account Standing, Holds, and Appeals
• See how we protect your information in How Terac Uses Your Data
• Browse the full FAQ