8 Simple Ways to Avoid Freelance Scams

Don't get sucked into freelance scams! More and more people are leaving the 9-to-5 routine of corporate America for the promise of a better career as a freelancer. Unfortunately, wherever there are people seeking money or happiness, there are also scam artists ready to pounce.

I’ve fallen victim to a few scams myself, the most costly being a freelance “agency” that offered to set me up with freelance writing jobs as long as I paid a “membership” fee to cover their marketing costs. I paid the fee but never got any work.

I’m a pretty smart guy. But there I was, forking over money to someone I’d never met because they fed me a story that sounded believable. It was early in my career and I was hungry for work. Scam artists can smell desperation.

Tips for Freelance Contractors by Michelle L. Devon covers some of the basics of protecting yourself. This is solid advice and I highly recommend it.

Okay, so I’ve fessed up to falling for a scam or two. How about you?