Verifying iMerit projects
Understanding genuine AI training opportunities, and avoiding scams
About iMerit
iMerit is a company with a rich history of expert work to improve computer intelligence. Our story started in 2012, by building an inclusive workforce of motivated individuals from underserved communities, focusing on young adults and women.
iMerit provides online remote work training AI systems, and you may see our job postings on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and other sites.
iMerit job postings will feature our logo, and/or the Scholars logo, and information that links to our corporate website at imerit.net.
Online job scams in 2025: a quick reality-check
The following page provides general advice for job-seekers to ensure that the job postings they apply for are genuine.
Remote-work fraud has exploded in the last two years. Fake recruiters are now prevalent across social media sites and other online forums. We encourage all consultants to be aware of these scams so that they can protect themselves from fraud.
Common tactics you might see:
Pay-to-work
“Buy a laptop/security app/certification; we’ll reimburse later.”
Looks plausible for tech jobs and plays on FOMO.
Credential harvesting
“Fill out this W-8/W-9, bank form or passport scan before an interview.”
Victims think it’s normal HR paperwork and hand over identity data.
Telegram/WhatsApp fast-track
“DM me to skip HR queues; start tomorrow!”
Uses informal channels that feel convenient but remove audit trails.
Fake check / crypto refund
Sends an apparent over-payment, then asks you to return the extra via BTC or gift cards before the bank reverses the original deposit.
Creates false urgency and trust in “money you can see.”
Remember: legitimate employers invest in talent; scammers extract something—money, data, or both.
Why you can trust iMerit & Scholars
13-year track record – Founded 2012; 5,500+ employees and contractors working with Fortune 500, NGO, and Big Tech clients.
Transparent legal entities – iMerit, Inc. registered at 160 West Santa Clara St. Suite 600, San Jose, CA 95113, US, and with additional legal entities, listed on our Contact page.
Public presence – Featured by MIT Tech Review, Wired, and the World Economic Forum; audited annually by BDO, recipient of many global awards.
Formal channels only – Every contract, NDA, and payment flows through Worksuite and email domains
@imerit.netSecurity-hardware reimbursement – Yes, we do ask some consultants to buy a screen-privacy filter and headphones (≤ US $40) when a client’s data-security rules require it. We reimburse within 21 days. You will never be asked for training fees, software, or to wire money to anyone at iMerit.
Hardware Purchasing
On certain regulated projects, iMerit asks consultants to purchase low-cost security hardware (≤ US $40 total) and then reimburses them via our Worksuite platform. This article explains:
Why that policy exists and exactly how it works
How to verify that a request really came from iMerit (not an impersonator)
Common scam tactics in the wider AI-training market and how to stay safe
1. Why do we require a privacy screen & headphones?
Some client contracts—especially in healthcare, legal discovery, and financial-services AI—mandate physical safeguards that block shoulder-surfing and prevent audio leakage. Because our global Scholars community spans 50+ countries and many hardware configurations, we found that:
Shipping every possible screen size worldwide causes multi-week delays and high customs fees.
Providing a $40 reimbursement cap lets you choose the nearest low-cost option and start paid training sooner.
Key promise: iMerit never earns money from this purchase. You buy from any retailer you like, upload the receipt + installation photo, and we reimburse within 21 days through the same channel that pays your project invoices.
2. The only legitimate hardware-reimbursement workflow for iMerit projects
Step
What you will see
What you will not see
Request origin
Email from @imerit.net explaining the $40 cap and linking to this KB page
Message arriving first on WhatsApp / Telegram / Facebook
What to buy
Any hardware that meets requirements, from any seller. For example, any screen-privacy filter that limits side viewing to ±30° and basic wired/BT headphones
A specific brand, seller, or affiliate link you “must” use
Proof
Single PDF of dated receipt (< Jan 2025) + Worksuite invoice + photo of devices installed
Asking you to email receipts to a personal Gmail or upload to an unfamiliar site
Payment route
Reimbursement appears as a normal Worksuite payment within 21 days
Request to send you a check, gift card, crypto, or third-party transfer
Compliance checks
Occasional video call to verify devices still in use
Threats of termination unless you buy extra software or pay “IT security fees”
3. Red flags that are hardware purchasing scams
Even on projects with the $40 hardware rule, none of the following is legitimate:
Paying a “registration,” “training,” or “background-check” fee. We cover these administration costs when we onboard all Scholars into our projects.
Being told you must order from one website or from a link that pays commissions.
Pressure to buy within 24 hours to “hold your slot.”
Any request for full bank-login details, credit-card numbers, or crypto wallets.
Unsolicited files to install monitoring software outside iMerit’s secure browser.
4. Quick checklist to verify a real iMerit offer
Sender domain:
@imerit.net/@imeritconsultant.netonly.Job ID: Should match a listing on our LinkedIn or imerit website.
Project portal: All tasks, contracts, and invoices flow include a legitimate task via Worksuite—never Google Docs alone.
Contact method: You can reach us anytime at scholars.hr@imerit.net before taking action.
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