Freelancing has recently become a mainstream employment opportunity, with platforms attracting millions of freelancers and clients.
As with any flourishing market, scammers have set out to pillage freelancing sites.
What started as a unicorn occurrence has quickly grown rife and threatens to overrun the once noble industry.
This article discusses freelancing scams and how to identify and avoid them.
Here’s what you should look for:
1.
Risque Links
Phishing links have been present on the internet for many years.
However, with some scrutiny, you should be able to identify them.
Third-Party Communication
Freelancing platforms typically urge their users to restrict their interactions within the confines of the site.
However, clients and freelancers have flouted this rule over time, creating a loophole for scammers.
Scammers are quick to join the bandwagon by:
3.
Can’t get the graphics shop down the street to do a design for cheap?
Findwebsites that help connect you to freelance graphics designers.
Every freelancer in the business long enough knows that high-paying clients are often far between.
This video details some of the ones for web developers.
Reviews
Freelancing is built on reviews.
The more positive, glowing reviews you get, the better your chances are of attracting clients.
However, did you know that reviews aren’t always organic?
There is a black market for freelancers and clients to purchase reviews.
It’s not unreasonable for clients to expect you to be a writer and editor.
However, it’s a red flag when they want several unconnected roles simultaneously.
Don’t fall for their gaslighting.
Finally, with many requirements, they easily slip in phishing links or viruses masked as files.
These are a few pointers derived from freelancers' experiences and how they dealt with scammers in their space.
If the platforms don’t respond with agile measures, you owe it to yourself to stay safe.
