Freelancer scams are one of the downsides of working with independent contractors. The Internet is full of scammers, and freelance platforms—though striving to maintain secure environments—cannot weed out all cheaters. Here's how to protect yourself.
7 Most Common Freelance Scams
1 Hijacked Portfolio
A cheater steals a high-grade portfolio from another freelancer and places it on a platform under their own account. They don't need to steal actual source files—many freelancers showcase work on Behance publicly. These accounts are usually created for fraud with little to no details filled in.
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Sending Malicious Software
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">Some scammers send malicious programs attempting to steal your data. These may be keyloggers tracing whatever you type, trojans creating security breaches, etc. Such software is often masked as briefing documentation or work files.</p>
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Ghosting After Prepayment
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">A ghost accepts your order and requests prepayment—which is standard practice. After money is transferred, the ghost vanishes without a trace. Their account turns out to be deleted or suspended. This is one of the most common scams across freelance platforms.</p>
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Mimicking Top Freelancers
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">A mimic creates an account that looks very much like a top-rated freelancer's account but differs in small details. Or they copy such an account and use it on other freelance platforms.</p>
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Mimicking Contact Details
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">A cheater creates a messenger account similar to a top-rated freelancer's. If the real username is "JohnDoe77," a scammer might use "John.Doe77" (almost identical, but with a period). You receive a link to a real freelancer's account but fake contact details. After prepayment, scammer vanishes.</p>
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Fake Testimonials
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">People faking testimonials deceive clients into believing they're hiring actual professionals. Either beginner freelancers with incomplete profiles or professional scammers use this technique, knowing the power of trustworthy testimonials.</p>
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Broken Deadlines and Poor Quality
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm">Perhaps the worst scam because it doesn't forthrightly violate terms. You hire a freelancer, and they do the job—but quality is so low it can barely be called complete. They often intentionally delay deadlines hoping you'll withdraw from the project.</p>
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Red Flags to Watch For
Warning Signs Before Hiring
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Full Upfront Payment Requests
Prepayment is normal. Full upfront payment is not. Professionals prefer milestone payments.
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Identity Verification Requests
Scammers ask for personal info to "verify your identity." Platforms already provide ways to verify each other.
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Offsite Payment Processing
All financial transactions should go through the freelance platform. Taking payments offsite removes protections.
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Empty Accounts
Little to no details filled in = potential scammer. Empty accounts and freelancer scams go hand in hand.
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No Credible Data
Beautiful portfolios but no phone numbers, real photos, or specific information proving they're real? Stay away.
Evasion Techniques
Never rely solely on platform fraud prevention mechanisms. Take appropriate precautionary measures yourself when hiring freelancers.
Milestone Payments
Release chunks of money upon completing particular portions of work. Use Escrow or similar services. This minimizes risks for both sides.
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Stay on Platform
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<p class="text-green-800 text-xs">Hold all project-related discussions and process all payments through the platform you found the freelancer on.</p>
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Protect Sensitive Data
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<p class="text-green-800 text-xs">Never share logins, passwords, or card numbers. Use updated antimalware software. Check every incoming file for viruses.</p>
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Personal Communication
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<p class="text-green-800 text-xs">Anonymity is a scammer's weapon. A fair freelancer won't have problems talking to you via video. Interview before hiring.</p>
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Background Checks
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<p class="text-green-800 text-xs">Contact previous clients if a portfolio looks too good. Check social media profiles, review other projects, browse portfolio websites.</p>
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Use Vetted Platforms
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<p class="text-green-800 text-xs">Hire at <a href="/solutions/dedicated-teams" class="text-green-900 underline hover:no-underline">platforms for vetted specialists</a>. Every freelancer undergoes thorough background and proficiency checks before working with clients.</p>
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Prepayment Rule
Typically, freelancers charge 30-50% prepayment—this is fine if you trust the contractor. But if prepayment grows toward 100%, be wary. Also: don't count on a freelancer with suspiciously low hourly rates to be professional. Why would they charge so little? Either they know they're not good, or they're trying to trap you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring Freelancers
Advantages
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Cheaper — Even top-rated freelancers cost less than the same number of employees
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Swift response — Easier to reach and communicate with than in-house teams
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Availability — Wide range of skills available on freelance platforms
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Adaptability — Unexpected changes can be communicated and implemented promptly
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Disadvantages
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<span style="color: #991b1b; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Reliability</strong> — Platforms can't weed out all scammers (vetted platforms are the exception)</span>
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<span style="color: #991b1b; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Language barriers</strong> — Some freelancers may demonstrate poor language skills</span>
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<span style="color: #991b1b; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Cultural differences</strong> — Different perceptions and customs may result in conflict</span>
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<span style="color: #991b1b; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Security</strong> — Must disclose sensitive info to people you don't know</span>
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common freelance scam?
Ghosting after receiving prepayment is one of the most common scams. A freelancer accepts your order, requests prepayment (standard practice), then vanishes after receiving money. Hijacked portfolios—where scammers steal another freelancer's work—are also extremely common.
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm" itemprop="text">Typically, freelancers charge 30-50% prepayment, which is acceptable if the contractor has a credible portfolio and background checks show they're reliable. Never agree to full upfront payment. Professionals prefer milestone payments—releasing funds upon completing portions of work.</p>
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<h3 class="font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2" itemprop="name">How do vetted platforms prevent freelance scams?</h3>
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<p class="text-gray-600 text-sm" itemprop="text">Vetted platforms test every freelancer for professional and personal qualities before assignment. They conduct thorough background checks, verify portfolios, assess communication skills, and monitor performance. This multi-layered process eliminates ghosting, fake portfolios, and failed projects.</p>
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The Bottom Line
You're not defenseless against freelance scams. Use milestone payments, conduct background checks, protect your data with antimalware, and communicate personally via video. These simple steps dramatically reduce risk.
But there's an even more comfortable way: hire from platforms for vetted specialists. Every freelancer undergoes multi-layered vetting for professional and personal qualities. No scams, risks, or suspended projects.
Skip the Scammers Entirely
Boundev vets every developer for skills, communication, and reliability. No fake portfolios. No ghosting. No wasted time on background checks.
Hire Vetted Developers