Am I being swindled?

[Kate K]

There was a client posting regarding $30 blog posts (seems kind of ridiculously high) and I was  one of the selected freelancers. The client asked me to send a copy of my ID and my tax information (inclduing social security number) before they could officially give me the job. I noticed that the client did not have a payment method verified either. Am I being swindled?

[Petra R · Accepted solution]

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@Kate K wrote:

Am I being swindled?

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 That's up to you. If you did send those, then yes, you are being swindled....

Please report to customer services and NEVER EVER send that kind of info.

[Jennifer M]

$30 is a high rate wat wat???

[Petra R]

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@Jennifer M wrote:

$30 is a high rate wat wat???

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 I know, Jennifer, but I didn't really want to go there...

[Kate K]

It was acutally $50 for one 500 word blog post on astrology. I am not oblivious, it is just my opinion that a 500 word blog post is not worth that much.

Thanks for the help though ladies, much appreciated regardless!

[Kenneth P]

$50 for a 500 word essay too high? I guess you guys are not creative writters who reverse translate everything through google translate to make sure what you have written means the same think after translations for the sake of SEO?

[Preston H]

I want you to succeed on Upwork, but you need to know that if you are uncertain about whether it is okay to send your social security number to a client... It means you are not yet ready to work safely on the platform. You need to spend some time reading various threads in the Forum so that you can learn more about bad job warning signs and scams.

[Rhyan S]

As Jennifer pointed out, though, $30 isn't a ridiculous rate. 

Step 1: Read this: http://www.makealivingwriting.com/mailbag-freelance-writers-charge-for-blogging/

Step 2: Believe you're a superhero blogger, deliver work accordingly.

Step 3: Profit / save the whales.

[Kathy T]

If you do what these clients ask, then YES you are being swindled, scammed and you'll probably have your idenity stolen.

[Shelly - Ann P]

I would not send my SS# to any client, for any price. That's just asking for it.