I started this series because of one news story: A $10 million fraud indictment involving two intertwined market research firms, Op4G and Slice.
This 10-part blog series is our deep dive into how survey fraud happens, why detection tools are falling short, and what research leaders must do now to protect the future of insights.
Whether you’re a CX leader, a market researcher, or a data-driven decision-maker, this series offers the knowledge—and the tools—you need to move forward with confidence.
Because in an AI-powered world, real, verified, human feedback isn’t just important.
It’s everything.
Check out the complete The New Battle for Data Integrity in Market Research series below.
Just click on the title to read the full articles!
Article #1: The $10M Fraud Case Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
A $10M fraud scheme rocked the market research world—but it’s only the beginning. This article uncovers how manual survey fraud operated undetected for years, and why AI is about to make it far worse.
Article #2: What AI Survey Fraud Actually Looks Like - And Why It's So Hard to Detect
AI-generated survey fraud is here—and it’s nearly impossible to detect. This post reveals how today’s AI agents mimic real human behavior and why traditional fraud checks are no longer enough.
Article #3: Why Fraud Detection Systems are Failing (And Will Get Worse)
If manual survey fraud fooled the industry for nearly a decade, what chance do legacy systems have against AI-powered deception? This article explains why today’s fraud detection tools are already outdated—and what real data quality demands instead.
Article #4: The Traditional Online Panel Model is Breaking Down
The Op4G/Slice case didn’t just reveal fraud—it exposed the deeper flaws in the traditional online panel model. This article unpacks why that model is breaking down and what must change to protect data integrity.
Article #5: Custom Research Panels - How They Work and Why They Matter
Custom research panels offer a smarter, safer alternative to traditional online panels. This article explains how they work, why they’re fraud-resistant, and how they deliver faster, higher-quality insights at scale.
Article #6: Real CX Data from Real Customers (Your Secret Weapon Against Fraud)
Customer experience feedback is one of the safest, most reliable data sources in market research. This article shows how real-time input from real customers beats fraud—and delivers insights you can act on immediately.
Article #7: What to Do If You Have To Use Third-Party Sample Providers
Sometimes third-party sample is unavoidable—but blind trust is not an option. This article outlines the critical questions to ask providers, red flags to watch for, and the steps PeopleMetrics takes to protect data integrity when using external panels.
Article #8: The True Cost of Bad Data
Bad data doesn’t just skew results—it wastes time, money, and trust. This article breaks down the hidden costs of poor-quality research and why building data integrity into your process from the start is essential for real ROI.
Article #9: What Synthetic Data Actually Is and When It's Useful
Synthetic data isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool. This article explains what synthetic data really is, how it differs from fraud, and why it’s only valuable when grounded in real, verified human feedback.
Article #10: The Future Belongs to the Real
This final post ties together the full series on data integrity, making the case for a new standard in market research: real, verified, human feedback. In an AI-powered world, trust in your data isn’t optional—it’s your competitive edge.
