Upwork is a great platform for finding extra work. I can be the difference between paying bills and not. But, as with anything in life, there are risks associated with it. One of the big risks is being scammed by someone on the site.
In this blog post, we will go over how to notice scams on Upwork as a Freelancer and how to avoid them overall.
Is Upwork Safe?
Upwork is safe and they have many different things that help protect Freelancers. That being said there are still some ways to get scammed on the site. The best way to be safe is to do your homework on a potential client before you agree to work with them.
Lets dive into the different ways clients may try and scam you on Upwork.
Trying To Make Payment Off Of The Platform
If a potential client asks you to make a payment outside of Upwork, it is likely a scam. This is because Upwork has measures in place to protect both the Freelancer and the client.
Any payments made outside of the platform could lead to a loss of money for the Freelancer. So, if someone asks you to make a payment outside of Upwork, it is best to avoid them.
Yes, Upwork takes a percentage but that percentage is nothing when you’re risking not getting paid at all.
Avoid Going Off The Platform at all
They may ask you to go off the platform and download certain apps to do the work. For example, they may ask you to download Skype and add them as a contact in order to do the work.
If they are asking you to go off the platform, it is likely a scam. This is because they can then take advantage of you without Upwork being able to protect you.
Security Payments To Get The Work
Clients may also try and scam Freelancers by asking for a security payment. A security payment is when a client asks you to send them money before starting the project. This is also a scam because the work has not been agreed upon and it is likely that you will never see that money again.
Never pay a security payment to a client.
Free Trial Work
One thing to keep in mind is that Upwork does have a policy against doing free work. If someone asks you to do a project for free, it is likely a scam.
Free work is often used as a way to get someone to do work for free and then not pay them. So, if someone asks you to do a project for free, it is best to avoid them.
You should also value your time more than that as well. If your skills are good enough you shouldn’t be offering work for free regardless of their future promises.
Information Scams
Sometimes within the interview process, the scammer will ask you to share personal information. If they tell you to reach out on another platform and enter in information like your social security number or bank account information, it is likely a scam.
Upwork has measures in place to protect your personal information. So, if someone asks you for this information outside of the Upwork platform, don’t share it with them.
Tips to Get Good Clients On Upwork
Now that you know the potential ways clients may try and scam you on upwork, we can now get into the tips of how to get good clients on the platform.
1. Do your research on potential clients.
Before starting a project with a client, do some research on them. Look into their past work, reviews, and what other Freelancers have said about them.
This will help you get a sense of whether or not they are legitimate and if it is safe to work with them.
Make sure the client is payment verified, has a positive rating, and has feedback from other Freelancers.
2. Focus on one Niche
When you are starting out on Upwork, it is best to focus on one niche. This will help you get better-quality clients and be able to build a portfolio in that specific area.
3. Start with smaller projects
When you are starting out, it is best to start with smaller projects. This will help you build a relationship with the client and show them what you are capable of. You can then expand give them more work as the relationship grows.
4. Look Our For Crazy High Payments
Scammers usually post a job with a very high payment. This is because they know that people will be drawn to the high payment and not think about the risks involved.
Be cautious of any job that offers a very high payment, as it is likely a job trying to lure you into a scam.
If you’re a newbie to the site make sure you check the rates people normally get for the service you provide, so you have an idea if the offer is too good to be true.
5. Don’t Rush Things and Be Cautious
When you are starting a project with a new client, take your time. Don’t rush things and be cautious of any red flags that may arise.
This will help protect you from getting scammed and ensure that the project goes smoothly.
Conclusion
I hope these tips have helped spot scams on Upwork. Remember, if something feels too good to be true, it probably is. So, use your best judgment when working with potential clients and always keep these tips in mind. Thanks for reading!
If you found this helpful share it on social media! And, if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to help.
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