> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/private-panels/panel-management/fighting-fraud-in-private-panels.md). # Fighting fraud in Private Panels Protecting your recruitment from fraudulent activity is essential to maintain data integrity. Private Panels offers several features to help identify and prevent fraudulent behavior: ### Require unique phone number Private Panels prohibits new panelists from signing up using phone numbers already in use by someone on your panel. For more information, see [Require unique panelist phone numbers](/private-panels/panel-management/require-unique-panelist-phone-numbers.md). ### Duplicate IP protection Private Panels flags respondents who complete surveys from the [same IP address in a Study](/private-panels/studies/duplicate-ip-protection.md). When duplicate IPs are detected, an alert appears in the Study Overview page. ### Restricting by country If you observe fraudulent activity originating from specific countries, [you can restrict access](/private-panels/panel-management/restrict-availability-by-country.md) to your panel and studies based on geographic location. This measure helps prevent unwanted sign-ups from certain regions. ### Bulk blocklisting Private Panels [allows you to blocklist](/private-panels/panel-management/blocklist.md) multiple users simultaneously. By compiling a list of known fraudulent individuals or domains, you can prevent them from participating in your studies. Here's how to do [bulk actions in a panel](/private-panels/panel-management/bulk-actions-in-the-panel.md). ### Implementing CAPTCHA [Adding a CAPTCHA](/private-panels/screeners/captcha.md) to your screeners and panel sign-up forms can deter automated bots and reduce fraudulent submissions. This step ensures that respondents are genuine and not automated scripts attempting to access your study. ### Video question type [Incorporating video responses](/private-panels/screeners/video-submissions-in-screeners.md) in your screener can help verify respondent authenticity. Requiring participants to submit video answers makes it more challenging for fraudulent users to complete the screener, thereby enhancing the quality of your data. By utilizing these features, you can effectively mitigate fraudulent activities and maintain the integrity of your research data. {% hint style="info" %} **Note:** Private Panels was previously managed outside of Dscout, so you may see a different logo and URL in some places. If you have any questions, contact . {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.dscout.com/private-panels/panel-management/fighting-fraud-in-private-panels.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.