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How to avoid freelance marketplace scams

The common scams on freelance marketplaces and how buyers and sellers avoid them — off-platform payments, fake checks, and work taken without payment.

  • Figures checked on
  • Platforms compared: 12
peopleperhour.com · freelancer.com · workana.com ·

  1. Never pay or get paid off-platform

    A request to move payment to a direct transfer, a gift card or an unknown app removes every protection the marketplace gives you.

  2. Do not send personal logins

    Share access through delegated permissions or temporary accounts, never your own passwords.

  3. Be wary of work before payment

    A buyer who asks for a large free sample before ordering may never order. Keep samples small and watermarked.

  4. Check links and files

    Treat unexpected attachments and links in messages with care, especially ones that ask you to sign in.

  5. Report it on the platform

    Use the platform's reporting tools. It protects the next person, and your report is evidence if a dispute follows.

How to choose a freelance marketplaceSix questions that decide which freelance marketplace suits you — fees on both sides, payouts, protection, how work is found and what it costs to start.How to move from Fiverr to another marketplaceA step-by-step plan for sellers moving from Fiverr to another freelance marketplace without losing income, reviews or clients.How to write a brief for a freelancerWhat to put in a freelance brief so you get what you need the first time — goal, audience, examples, deliverables, deadline and budget.How to place your first freelance orderBuying a freelance service for the first time — how to pick a seller, check the package, pay safely and accept the delivery.How buyer protection works on freelance marketplacesEscrow, auto-acceptance, disputes and refunds explained — what protects a buyer's payment on Fiverr and its alternatives.Freelance marketplace payouts explainedClearance periods, withdrawal methods, fees and minimums — how and when freelance marketplaces pay sellers.How to price freelance servicesSetting prices for fixed-price freelance services — work out your hourly floor, include the platform's fees, and design packages buyers understand.

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How we compare the platforms, the questions people ask most, and practical guides for buyers and sellers.