Spot Fake Freelance Job Listings
There are so many people with multiple accounts that you don’t always know who you are talking to or if they are human. People set up fake accounts to help manage their own, or protect their business, or for stalking, scamming and spamming people.
When searching for a freelance role or maybe any job available, many people are afraid of falling victim to a scam. Swindlers are becoming more creative. Thus, avoiding cons associated with freelance job listings can feel like an uphill battle at times.
Freelancers working in any sector need to be well-prepared. When searching for new employment opportunities on social media platforms, it is essential to be able to identify warning signs. How to spot those red flags?
How to spot fake freelance job listings?
When the client asks that you communicate with them outside of the Freelancer Platform
If the client requests to contact via a messaging system other than the one where they are providing the job, this is a significant red flag. Skype and Facebook Messenger are the most popular third-party platforms. When the scam is over, the account vanishes, leaving the freelancer in the dust. If they are asking for personal details or a deposit, this should make you worry.
Proposals for sample work
This is one that most people have fallen for a few times. After submitting to a job posting or pitching a client, you may receive a requirement to do some free tasks. These con artists will say that they will choose which freelancers to collaborate with after reviewing their test projects or demos. Instead, provide potential clients with a portfolio of your work and ask for feedback. These people could be students, getting you to do their work for them, they could be other applicants looking to get free help with a presentation, or they could be an employer looking to get free work. Sample work should be saved in a portfolio of work and you could give examples of past work, rather than do something new for them that might be stolen. A good conversation is needed before you spend time and effort on a project.
Dodgy Recruitment Firms
To help freelancers obtain work, many companies offer the services of talent agencies. Many of these organisations, however, are not what they seem to be. They may ask you for a large sum of money, make empty assurances that they would find you a job, and then fail to deliver. Or, they may contact you by unsolicited email or phone with offers of low-paying work.
There are several ways to steal your data online and recruitment boards are full of scams and possibilities for fraudsters. Where there are people in need, there are also people praying on the needy. People need a job, or need extra money, and unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of that.
Stay Safe on line!
