When I started freelancing, I had no idea that cybercriminals were roaming around social media platforms, hiding in Facebook groups. And I most certainly did not know how to avoid scammers or even identify them. I did not have a mentor or a senior to guide me about these things, so I was a very easy target for these people, as most beginners are. 

Soon after the start of my journey, I took a job that involved a lot of work for minimum wage. I took it because I did not mind the low pay rate, and it was a very interesting topic. Plus, I was looking forward to the "long-term work" with this client (we have all been there, right?). Unfortunately, after getting plenty of articles written from me in a very short deadline, the person promised to get back to me in a few days but never did. I followed up a couple of times, after which I realized he had no intention of paying me back. Ever. I had been scammed. 

The plot twist in the story is that he actually did come back about six months later and paid me in full. But by then, I had already become more cautious and had started using my common sense a lot more before I said yes to any project. That was the one and the only near-to-scam incident I have had in my entire career as a freelancer. However, I have had enough exposure in the industry and have made quite a few close calls. I started analyzing and investigating a lot more than before and realized that not every seemingly great opportunity was actually a great opportunity. Most of them were potential scams, and I had learned how to identify them. 

And so here are my five best tips (that I always give everyone) to avoid any scammers or frauds around you! 

Five Tips To Avoid Scammers

Before we begin this discussion, I want to give a disclaimer: the following things do not always guarantee or confirm a scam. However, in a majority of the cases where these aspects are involved, it turns out to be a fraud. So, even though the cases are not the same 100% of the time, the risk is not worth it. Therefore, I would personally advise you to stay away from these kinds of clients and job opportunities unless you are ready to face any possible consequences.

That being said, let us move forward! 

1.   Fishy Profiles

Whether you see a job posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Upwork, check the recruiter profile before applying. Check the following things to make sure that the profile (and the person) is legit: 

• The profile picture: it is much better if the picture is of themselves. 
   
• Their bio and descriptions: it should have professional details about them, like their educational background, work history, and other information. If it says something like "mY bUsInEsS iS nOt yOuR bUsiNesS," you might want to skip this one. 
   
• Their wall/feed: what kind of posts can you see? Have they been posting job opportunities before as well? Can you see any posts related to their professional life? And how long ago were they posted? Are there any people who have responded to those posts? 
   

You might think I am borderline paranoid at this point, but looking at these details can help you identify a potential scam. As a result, you will dodge a traumatic experience, waste of time, and loss of money. 

You see, if their profile does not have a picture or a legitimate bio, it does not tell you much about their professional background. As a result, you dont know who this person is and have no way of identifying them in the future. Moreover, if their profile does not have any posts related to their profession, or if all the posts are only a day old and have zero responses, it is possible that they purposely set up the profile to attract beginners like you and scam them. It is a well-set trap, and you can only identify it if you open your mind and look for the signs. 

Usually, beginners are so excited to see an opportunity and get a response from a client that they miss out on these red flags until it is too late. So, if you use a keen eye and take a good look at their profile first, you will avoid the trap set for you.   

2.   Vague And Inconclusive Job Posts/ Descriptions

Unprofessional clients and scammers have one thing in common: both have a very weak and incomplete job description. The former doesnt know what he wants, and the latter doesnt really care because his goal is to scam you, not get quality content. See what the job post says about the opportunity and look for the following things in there: 

• The demands, requirements, and criteria for the job: what kind of person are they looking for? Is there a specific experience range mentioned? (beginners/intermediates/professionals)
• The work: does it clearly tell you what you have to do if you are hired? Does it specify the position you are applying for?
  
  
• Pay rate and salary: some clients do not wish to mention the salary in the job post, which is okay. However, they mention something about salaries and pay rates, like that the pay rate will be discussed upon interview or something along those lines. Legitimate and professional clients do not leave out the topic of money.
  
  
• CTA: has the client clearly told you what to do in order to apply for the job? Professional and legitimate job posts always end with a clear CTA (email, DM, WhatsApp, or comment) 
   

If two or more of these are missing in the job post/description, you can suspect a possible scam. 

3.   "Security Money"

How often have you heard office jobs demanding money from employees in order to get hired? Not often, right? In fact, I bet you have never heard of such a thing. So then, why would you assume that it is okay for freelancing jobs to demand money from recruits? 

This "trend" started several years ago. As more and more people started getting attracted to freelancing, unfortunately, cybercriminals also started seeing "opportunities" for fraud. It was a common trend for scammers to attract beginners and steal from them. Their job posts would have little detail about the work and more promises to offer fast and endless money. 

They would fake an interview and help the poor recruit daydream about heaps of gold and extensive job perks. Then, after they convince them to sign up, they demand a "safety deposit" from the recruit. Properly and dangerously brainwashed, the aspiring freelancer would submit the money in hopes of a profit in a few weeks. However, they would soon realize that they have been scammed and their money is not coming back. 

Today, these scammers have advanced, and their processes have become even more extensive and convincing. As a result, they are harder to identify now, which is more dangerous. So, the minute you are asked for any money from a potential employer, I advise you to run in the other direction, my dear, and never look back. 

4.   Free Samples/Test Projects

Every other freelancer has to go through a point in their journey where they are asked to submit a free sample or do a test project before they start getting paid. Typically, you are told that you are a great writer, and so far, your portfolio looks great. However, the client needs you to do a test sample for them to decide whether you are a good fit for this particular job. 

Now, there is nothing offensive about doing a free sample, in my opinion. Sometimes, clients are genuinely interested in your proposal and want to hire you, but they need to see a sample first to make a more informed decision. If they dont have the budget for a paid sample, they will ask you to do it for free, which is okay as long as it is genuine, right? However, there are times when this innocent free sample turns into a major scam. 

When a client genuinely wants to receive a sample from your side to decide whether you are a good fit, all they need is 300 to 500 words. That is enough for them to figure out your writing style and whether you can deliver the type of content they want. Unfortunately, scammers abuse this technique and take it one step further: they will ask you to write 1500 to 3000 words on different topics and submit a full-fledged article within a given deadline. My dear, this is no sample article; this is an actual article that they are getting from you without having to pay you a penny. 

In some cases, these people have freelancers do an entire project for them as a "test project" without any monetary compensation. Then, they take your sample and use it as they will. On the other hand, you did not get anything in return. Plus, there is a high chance that they will tell you there was "something wrong" with the article, and you are not hired. Then, they will move on to somebody else willing to do a full-fledged free article. So, steer clear of projects that demand extensive samples and offer no compensation in return. (Click here to read more about how to make content writing samples for your portfolio)

5.   Unusual Payment Methods And Delayed Payment Durations 

Freelancers, especially in countries like Pakistan, have difficulty figuring out a payment method for international clients. However, unless you are using a specific marketplace that only allows a particular form of payment, bank transfers are not that big of a problem anymore. 

It is 2022, and paying your employees does not have to be a hard job, nor should it take six months. So, if a client keeps telling you that they have a very long and complicated process that involves waiting a few months before your payment comes in, it is likely (not guaranteed, but likely) that there is something fishy going on. 

Sometimes, scammers also try to fool freelancers by saying that they have unusual payment methods that require personal documents from you. Remember that a direct bank transfer does not involve the exchange of any documents or personal information. All it needs is the bank name, the account number, and your name. That is it. 

Lastly, clients that offer you payment in forms other than money (gift cards, discounts, and vouchers) are also a big no-no, in my opinion. They might not scam you, per se, but you are definitely not getting any money out of them. 

My Last Advice:

Beginners, as well prepared and knowledgeable as they may be, are often oblivious of the fraudulent activities in the freelancing world and how to avoid scammers. Because of their naive minds and enthusiasm to kickstart a career, they are the easiest targets. So, use my five tips to identify and avoid potential scams. 

Have you ever been scammed? If you want to share your story in the comments below, I am sure many will find it helpful (or at least entertaining, lol).