5 signs that a freelance job post is a scam
Simple ways to vet online opportunities and protect yourself.
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5 signs that a freelance job post is a scam
With every new marketplace and every new ‘hiring’ post, scammers have found ways to sneak in and take advantage of freelancers who are simply trying to earn a living.
I didn’t think I’d need to write this. But after hearing from freelancers who lost hours of work, personal details, and sometimes even money, it’s become impossible to ignore.
These scams are everywhere now. They’re in Facebook groups, LinkedIn posts, online job boards, and unsolicited text messages. Some look professional, with polished branding and fake names tied to real companies. Others are sloppy, but possibly just convincing enough to catch someone in a moment of desperation.
Since I’m on holiday, I want to leave you with something useful: a simple way to vet freelance opportunities when you come across them online. If you see these warning signs, think twice before applying.
Being a real person at a real business
Every freelance gig should start with a person. A real person with a digital footprint you can actually trace. Does the ‘editor’ or ‘recruiter’ have a LinkedIn account with genuine followers, not five connections and a stock or AI profile picture? Have they published work, left a trail of bylines, or held roles at real companies?
If not, that’s cause for suspicion. It only takes a few minutes of searching to separate someone with a career from someone making up a story.
They want you to pay anything
It’s the oldest scam in the book: flipping the payment process so you’re the one sending money first. They’ll call it an onboarding fee, a background check, or mandatory training software. The pitch sounds convincing in the moment, but it’s a trick.
Real clients will always pay you for your work. They don’t ask you to invest in their process. The only spending you should do is on your own business tools, never on theirs.
They want you to do work for free
A scammer might ask for a “test project” before hiring you, and then vanish once you send it. If the assignment looks like real client work such as a polished blog post or a finished logo, they’re just collecting free labour from people who want the job badly enough to fall for it.
Sharing a short portfolio or directing them to published clips is normal (though even then you need to be sure you’re sending them to a real person, as some people do steal this information too). But if they expect full work for no pay, you should walk away.
They’re vague about the actual work
Scammers love vagueness. They’ll hide behind language that sounds impressive at first glance: ‘supporting global initiatives,’ ‘creative content generation,’ ‘strategic copy.’ But when you ask what the day-to-day looks like, they can’t tell you.
A genuine client can explain exactly what they need and how they’ll use your work. If the details feel flimsy, or if you never get a straight answer, treat it as a big, flashing warning light.
They don’t have clear contact details
Real businesses want to be found. They have websites, company domains for email, and (usually_ a phone number listed somewhere. Scammers don’t. They hide behind Gmail or Outlook accounts, vague ‘team’ names, or links that lead nowhere.
If someone claims to represent a big brand but emails from a free account, something’s off. A quick check on the company’s actual website will usually confirm whether the contact is genuine.
As freelancers, we already juggle enough uncertainty without dealing with fake jobs designed to waste our time or steal money. You should strive for clients who value your work and treat you with respect. Stay sharp, trust your instincts, and remember: the best gigs don’t come with hidden strings.
Scam jobs don’t deserve your time.
That’s exactly why I filter every single opportunity, personally, for the Freelance Writing Network. Every week I cut through the scams, vague listings, and unpaid ‘opportunities’ to share real, paid freelance jobs and pitch calls worth your effort.
If you haven’t yet joined us, subscribe today and get weekly access to vetted freelance jobs, real pitch calls, and opportunities that actually pay.
Sad. I can usually spot the fake ones, but they’re getting better at tricking folks. Thanks for this.
This was great thanks! I will add they don’t always ask you to shell out money sometimes they will send you a check so you can purchase “office supplies” or items supposedly needed for the job, however the check is fraudulent and will eventually be reversed by your bank leaving you stuck with the full amount.