The Red Flags for Freelance Scams
Over at Freelance Writing Jobs, there’s been an energetic discussion about scams aimed at freelancers. I don’t want to get into the specifics here, but there is one business that seems to be a concern for a variety of writers. That’s putting it mildly.
Deborah Ng posted an article as a follow-up that provides some excellent, practical advice for spotting freelance scams, and some wise words about not throwing around unfounded accusations without proof.
I really wish freelancers didn’t have to deal with this, but it’s a fact of the business world. Every business has to watch out for the ethically challenged among us. What makes freelancers so vulnerable is, I’m sorry to day, desperation. Freelancers get taken advantage of because they are so eager to get work their good sense goes out the window.
I ‘m proud of the people over at FWJ for having their heads screwed on straight on this issue and looking out for each other.
For more on self-defense against scams, here are some other links for you:
- Watch out for these Freelance Writing Scams talks about poetry and writing contests. If you’re wanting to be a freelance pro, you shouldn’t be wasting time trying to make money like this anyway. Fiction and poetry are fine as hobbies, but the pay is lousy.
- How to Sniff Out Literary Scams lists six tell-tale signs of a literary scam and provides some information on checking out your suspicions and protecting yourself.
- Tips for Freelance Contractors is an article I mentioned recently, but it’s worth repeating. It lists eight pointers for protecting yourself as a freelance contractor.
- Freelance Writer’s Warning - New Cheque Cashing Scam is a disturbing article about a variation of the Nigerian scam, which you’ve probably received in your e-mail at one time or another.
- How to Avoid Freelance Job Scams is a good, general guide to work-at-home scams. I doubt too many readers here would fall for these, but some of these scams can be pretty sneaky.
It seems like most of the scams I see for freelancers involve writers or are of the work-at-home variety. I’m curious if anyone has seem scams targeting designers. Let me know.
8 Simple Ways to Avoid 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?
