A freelance offer is likely a scam if it pays far above the going rate, asks you to pay a fee to start, requests an overpayment “refund”, pushes you off-platform to pay privately, or asks for your password or bank login. Real clients pay for work and never ask you to send them money.
Answer the questions below. Every “yes” adds risk.
Red flags in this offer
Check the offer
Be honest. If you’re unsure about one, treat it as a “yes”.
Stay safe on every job
Grab the two free tools — the Rate Calculator and the First-Client Checklist — so you vet every client and price the work right before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a freelance job is a scam?
Watch for pay that’s too high, requests to pay a fee to start, overpayment “refund” requests, or pressure to move off-platform and pay privately. Real clients never ask you to send them money.
Should I ever pay a fee to get a freelance job?
No. Legitimate clients never charge you to be hired. Any “training”, “software”, or “processing” fee is a scam.
What is the overpayment scam?
A “client” pays more than agreed and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment later reverses, leaving you out of pocket. Never refund an overpayment.
Is it safe to work off-platform?
It can be, with a contract and a trusted payment method. But you lose platform protection, so vet the client and get terms in writing first.