A mismatched name, an active VPN, a screenshot instead of a live photo — any one of these is enough to pause your access to work while it gets sorted out. Keeping your information accurate and consistent across your profile, your identity verification, and how you access Handshake AI (HAI) is what keeps that from happening.
Keep your information consistent
The information on your HAI profile should match the information you provide across Handshake and during identity verification. Review the following details carefully:
- Full legal name (for example: do not use a shortened name or nickname)
- Country and current location
- Email address
- Education and institution information, when applicable
Only provide a link to your personal LinkedIn profile when registering for Handshake AI. Never submit another person's LinkedIn profile.
All information must be complete, accurate, and current. Do not change your information to make your account appear associated with another person, institution, or country.
Make sure your full legal name matches
Your full legal name must match across:
- Your HAI profile
- Your Handshake account
- Your government-issued identification
- Your identity verification submission
When asked for your legal name, do not use a nickname, shortened name, alternate spelling, or another person's information. This can cause your account to be flagged.
If your legal name has changed, update your profile and make sure your identification reflects the change. If you are unable to update your profile yourself, our support team can assist.
Complete identity verification carefully
When completing identity verification:
- Use only your own personal information. Do not have someone else help you or complete your identity verification on your behalf.
- Submit a valid, unexpired government-issued ID.
- Follow all verification instructions in real time.
- Confirm that your legal name and other identifying details match your HAI profile.
Do not submit screenshots, edited images, photocopies, or another person's identification.
Running into an issue, such as a rejected photo, a stuck upload, or camera access problems? Refer to Troubleshooting Persona identity verification.
Do not use a VPN
Do not access HAI or complete HAI work while connected to a VPN, proxy, remote desktop, location-masking browser extension, or another service that hides or changes your location.
Before signing in or starting work:
- Disconnect any VPN or location-masking service.
- Confirm that your device reflects your actual location and time zone.
- Use a trusted personal internet connection whenever possible.
Using a VPN or displaying a location that does not match your profile may result in additional account review.
If you are traveling or have permanently moved, you can update your location in your profile settings. If you are unable to update your profile yourself, or if you have questions about working from a new location, our support team can assist.
Quick account checklist
Before you begin work, confirm that:
- My legal name matches my profile, identification, and identity verification submission.
- My country, location, email, and education information are accurate.
- I am not connected to a VPN or location-masking service.
- I am using only my own account.
- I have not shared my login or verification information.
Protect your account
Your HAI account is for your use only.
- Do not buy, sell, lend, share, or transfer an account.
- Do not share your password or verification codes.
- Do not allow someone else to complete verification or work through your account.
- Use a strong and unique password.
- Sign out when using a shared device.
- Maintain access to the email address associated with your account.
Maintain only one account
Do not create another account to correct a profile issue, repeat identity verification, change your location, or regain access.
Duplicate accounts may delay verification and make it more difficult to resolve the original issue. If you believe you have more than one account, our support team can help — include the email addresses associated with each account so the team can identify and resolve any duplicates.
What should I do if my information does not match?
Don't create another account or submit different information to work around a mismatch. You can update most profile details directly in Handshake — for anything you can't change yourself, our support team can assist. This includes:
- A locked or incorrect profile field (education level, institution, etc.)
- A location change
- Duplicate accounts
To update your name or other personal details, refer to Update Personal Information on Your Profile.
To update your school or major, check out How to Edit Education Information on Your Profile.