Handshake AI Fellowship: Getting started & staying safe

Welcome to the Handshake AI Fellowship! This guide covers everything you need to get started, from applying and setting up your account to recognizing scams and knowing what to do if something feels off.

Part 1: How to apply and onboard

Handshake provides you with access to all of the tools and sites related to the Handshake AI Fellowship. The only times you’ll provide sensitive information are through:

• Persona (identity verification during account creation)
• TaxBandits (tax information)
• Stripe (payment processing) 

Here is a quick guide on what we ask for and related resource links for more information. You can apply through our program site: https://joinhandshake.com/fellowship-program

Create or log into your account

• Existing users: log in with your Handshake credentials
• New users: create a student account and enter your school (or email if your school isn’t partnered or you’ve graduated)
  • New accounts not created by a school require phone number verification. Learn more about Phone Number Verification for Handshake AI.
  • Steps to create an account with and without a school affiliation available in Creating an Account and Logging In to Handshake.

Complete your profile

• Fill in required details
• Upload your resume
• Steps with screenshots available in Apply to the Handshake AI Fellowship.

Confirm your email, then verify your identity

• Confirm your email: check your inbox for a confirmation email from "handshake@m.joinhandshake.com", then follow the link to confirm your account.
  • Troubleshooting Missing Confirmation Email
• Verify your identity: you’ll be asked to upload a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) through our partner, Persona. Follow the secure, on-screen verification process
  • Troubleshooting Persona Identity Verification

Complete onboarding

Once approved, you’ll land in your Handshake AI dashboard and can start working and earning if you've been invited to a project. If you haven't yet been invited to a project, you can still take the steps below while you wait for a match. 

Learn more about what to expect in Your Handshake AI journey: from application to first project. 

From here, the order steps are completed in may vary, but will always include: 

• set up tax details (via TaxBandit)
  • completed via a popup from your dashboard
• setup payout method (via Stripe)
  • Steps available in How to Set Up Stripe.

Important: If you're being prompted to share any sensitive personal information through a site or method other than the steps described, do not enter any information or proceed further - contact Handshake AI Fellow Experience team to verify! 

More details available in Handshake AI Payments Processing. 

Part 2: How to spot fraud and scams

Scammers sometimes target students & fellows. Knowing what to look for can protect you.

What scammers want

• Personal data (SSN, bank info, passwords)
• Access to your account (via fake login links)
• Money (gift cards, crypto, wire transfers)

Important: Handshake and its partners will never ask for sensitive information via text, in-app messages, email, phone, social media or WhatsApp.

Fake Job or Project Offers on Handshake: Someone may contact you with an “opportunity” outside the Handshake platform

Red flags:

• Asking to move off Handshake to apply or provide PII (via email, WhatsApp, phone, Google Form)
• Does not ask for your credentials or verify your identity 
• Requests for personal or financial information outside the Handshake onboarding process
• Poor grammar or overly casual tone

Impersonation on Handshake: Scammers may create accounts or profiles pretending to be official organizations (Handshake, schools, employers)

Red flags:

• Urgent messages (“Act now or lose access”)
• Suspicious profiles or accounts
• Messages claiming to be “Handshake Support” 
• “Student” accounts offering support

Impersonation off Handshake: Scammers may pretend to be a Handshake employee reaching out with invitations or followups 

Red flags:

• Misspelled or fake domains (e.g., joinhandhsake.com, joinhandshake-careers.com)
• Generic, valid email addresses (e.g. handshake.helixprojectlead@gmail.com, handshakeprojectlead@gmail.com)
• Requests to complete a Google Form as part of validation or verification (e.g. provide either your Handshake Code or your Handshake Password)
• Urgent requests to avoid delays or disqualification

Part 3: What legitimate Handshake communication looks like

Handshake will only contact you via: 

• texts if you opted in to receiving SMS updates. 
• email addresses ending with joinhandshake.com. When in doubt, always double-check the sender’s email domain.

Handshake does not send any official communication through:  

• WhatsApp
• Other messaging apps or services

If there are ever any changes to Handshake's contact methods, we'll update this article and other official, relevant resources.  A full list of official email domains, platforms Handshake has an employer account on, tips, and more are available in How to Recognize Legitimate vs. Fraudulent Communications.

Handshake uses Google Forms for certain workflows, however, Handshake will never:

• Ask for sensitive information via message, email, or Google Form
• Send account-related requests through in-app messages or feed posts

Part 4: What to do if something feels off

If you receive a suspicious message

1. Don't click any links or share personal information.
2. Don't respond to the message.
3. Contact the Handshake AI Fellow Experience team to confirm email validity or report suspicious activity.

If you've already shared personal information

Take these steps right away:

1. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to protect your account and dispute any charges.
2. Secure your accounts: change passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised.
3. File a report with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC handles complaints about scams and identity theft.
4. Report to your local police. Authorities can investigate regardless of where the scammer is located.
5. Contact Handshake to report what has happened. 

These steps and more are available in Safety: Protecting Your Personal Information. 

Quick reference: red flags vs. legitimate communications

If something feels off — pause before clicking, sharing, or replying. When in doubt, contact Handshake AI Fellow Experience team to verify.