Prolific Academic Survey Alerts

MollyR

I got it too, linked to a study from February. I replied within the message system saying that I wouldn't even know how to use AI to answer a study, and they must be getting false positives. I doubt whether I will get a response.

elsien

They have confirmed it as a general comment not a specific warning.

“In response to participant feedback on our note above, we'd like to clarify that this is a general policy reminder and NOT an indication of an issue with your submissions specifically. Thank you for helping us keep Prolific human and authentic.”

HampshireH

Never seen one asking for you to deposit money before. I've skipped it as anticipated it would ask for more info. I also reported is as looking suspicious but I'm not sure it is or not

Anybody done one of these?

Trading/investment profile creation

By Gabriela Silver£2.00 • £17.14/hr7 mins1 placeOther

Please take a minute to read this before starting.

This study is only open to new users. If you’ve previously created an account or used the app, please do not participate, as your submission won’t be eligible.

Before submitting your responses, please make sure you have:

• Registered a new account.
• Completed the app’s identity verification process (if required).
• Made the required £1 deposit.
• Entered the same full name on the Google Form as the name used on your account. This allows us to verify your participation.

After we’ve confirmed that all study requirements have been completed, you’ll receive your study payment. Eligible participants may also qualify for a performance bonus of up to £5, as well as any new-user rewards offered by the app, subject to the app’s eligibility criteria, terms, and any applicable holding period.

If you have any questions before you begin, feel free to reach out.

Thanks,Gabriela:::writing

moginstein

Hi @HampshireH I've seen it before but ignored it as there are often better sign up bonuses elsewhere. I've reported it as well, as it asks for "full name" and that obviously doesn't sit well with anonymised studies. Hopefully if a few more report it, Prolific will look into it to check if it is legit.

elsien

I had that awhile ago and reported it for misrepresentation because at the time it didn’t tell you it wanted you to deposit money until you were actually in the survey.

at least nowadays they’re being upfront about it

moginstein

I've just asked the prolific chatbot thing, and got this back:

Me: researchers are asking for people to invest money for bonuses, but they also need to use their full name - is this allowed? It doesn't seem right.

Prolific: That’s not allowed, and you’re right to be suspicious. Legitimate studies on Prolific will never ask you to send money or make payments to researchers outside the Prolific platform, and they also won’t request financial or highly sensitive information. Also, most researchers aren’t permitted to ask for your full name (or other personally identifiable information). Only a small group of researchers approved by us can collect PII, and they must show a clear personal data collection warning on the study details page before you consent. If there’s no warning, don’t share your name. So if a study is asking you to invest money and also wants your full name, it’s a red flag and you should return the study and report it.

so, its not quite the same as sending them money, as its investing in a product, but the bit about asking for your name is not permitted unless they have one of those PII notices (Personally Identifiable Information). And the last sentence seems to apply, they shouldn't be asking for investments and you shouldn't give your full name - I'm going to continue to report them when I see them (which is unfortunately quite often at the moment).

warby68

They've been coming for weeks, always a different researcher name and many, many variations of 'tempting' titles with just with a couple of places each so blocking them would be pointless. I thought it was just an indirect referral link ie they're spending a bit of whatever reward they get for sign ups to get more but the volume now makes me wonder if there's more to it. Either way I've been reporting for ages but Prolific don't seem to do anything about them as far as I can tell. I do feel like they should 'police' what goes up on their site more than they do. For me, its just the nuisance value from these now.

elsien

and another one.

“

• A valid photo ID for the app’s verification process.
• Your National Insurance number.
• £1 to complete the required deposit.”