Avoiding the Freelance Scam
For all those newcomers into the freelancing markets you are probably worried more about getting involved with a scam then you are about finding work. With the amount of scam artists out there it can be hard knowing which buyers are good and which ones are bad.
As a freelancer I’ve encountered many good buyers and many bad buyers. When you encounter those bad buyers though it always seems like they’ll do anything to get you to work quickly and supply you the work, yet the payment never seems to come your way. This can be quite frustrating and could end up leaving someone in the dark.
When you become dependent on your freelancing income it can be hard going through a freelance scam, especially if you have children. This is why it has always been suggested to always request money up front if the buyer expects you to work like a complete robot. I’ve been through it. Working 20 hours straight writing about some of the most ridiculous things, and yet I’m left in the dark without a payment.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are a large number of bad buyers out there that will scam you quite easily, but there are also many great buyers out there that will do anything to ensure you get your payment, but also get you more work. These are some of the most astounding buyers out there and they always seem to be wanting you to do more and more each week.
The best way as to which you can avoid the freelance scam is by being the interviewer throughout the interview process. Ask the buyer hundreds of questions about their business, previous work they’ve outsourced, references, everything. You want to know their history just as much as they want to know yours. If they can’t prove that they are a good buyer don’t waste your time working for them, even if the money sounds good. Some jobs and payouts are too good to be true and you need to be careful.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from being scammed is by going through various freelancing websites that are available. They offer you the payment protection you need and the communication services that help you keep things in order so you don’t get completed scammed in the process. This is exactly why there are so many different freelancing websites available, and they can be a beneficial asset to anyone just starting out in the freelancing world.
The best way to avoid the freelance scam is by protecting yourself. If it sounds too good to be true walk away as there is something else out there that won’t screw you over in the end.
