The freelancing industry flocks with unique talents, knowledge, and skills convertible to money. Thousands of skilled freelancers seek potential clients and freelancing platforms to invest their knowledge and earn funds. The ratio of freelancers to customers is off balance as legitimate clients are slightly lower. Freelancers are at risk of falling prey to scammers and fraudsters searching for genuine clients.
First, the scammers in the freelancing sites offer real tasks but are very stingy and corrupt in paying for the projects. The majority of scammers entice freelancers with lucrative prices for simple projects. They accept the task or pretend to reject it but utilize the task for their websites. It’s pretty frustrating compelling freelancers to involve intermediaries platform like Paynco. The platform helps handle client and freelancers contract and payments deals. This ensures everyone is satisfied and gets their fair share at the minimal commission.
Third-party apps such as Escrow platforms work as secure intermediary channels to help in payments and project delivery. The scamming cases apply mainly to new freelancers who seek to gain their first client. However, experienced freelancers also face their share of fraud cases. All freelancers should apply simple tips and watch out for red flags to curb scams and remain safe.
Tips to Help Avoid Scams When Delivering Your Work as a Freelancer
Securing a client is an exciting and significant way to build your freelancing career. However, the excitement can potentially cover red flags on the client’s reviews, profiles, and payment details.
[1] Good Deals: Easy Job for High Pay. Freelancers should be aware of deals that sound appealing. It’s easy to wow a freelancer with payment and entices them to provide simple projects for high pay. Before signing up for such a task, conduct some background checks about the customer. There is no way a site or direct client will offer high pay simple work. The internet has many freelancers or companies willing to offer services at a low cost. Why should they leave low prices and opt for your service? To ensure you’re safe, always research your freelancing field to know the payment rates for particular jobs. This offers a hint on the price to charge and when the price is exaggerated.
[2] Paying to Work. Paying to receive a project or work for a client is a red flag and a direct scam. Most scammers request freelancers to purchase software or tool to help in projects. They make it mandatory for the freelancer so they can provide the order. Freelancers should fall into scams since genuine clients will freely provide all software required in the task. A legitimate client will also provide a clear description of the tool and incorporate it into the project.
[3] Communication Outside the Freelancer Platforms. Freelancers using freelancing platforms are protected by the platform policies. Clients should use the communication channel on the app to state their needs. Any client requesting talks outside the channel is probably a scammer. They offer jobs and appealing payments, which they don’t offer after the project. It’s difficult to claim the funds since the freelancing app doesn’t have evidence of fraud from the client. This risks your account as it’s prohibited to chat or communicate outside the freelancing site.
[4] Avoid Tests Tasks. Though most experienced freelancers started with test projects, it’s also a potential way to exploit freelancers. Scammers will request several test projects, and once their tasks are done, they will offer negative feedback. Most scammers use the test task for their sites and gain without paying any penny.
Conclusion. The freelancing field is pretty broad but requires critical thinking to avoid fraud. It’s also a potential market to enhance your skills through positive and negative ventures. Freelancers should do a complete background check before delivering their projects or taking up any projects.
