Blackmail?

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask again. This client sent me a message : 

"Your work has now been reviewed and I will shortly paying you the $25 owed to you from the previous contract that you cancelled this morning.
However, before doing so, I wish for you to amend your feedback of me and once done, please send me a screen shot so I can see you changed it.
Once done, I will make payment for you."


I am not pretty sure if this is considered as a blackmail. I just need help. Now I am having thoughts of changing the clients feedback because of this.  I gave the client a rating of 4 stars because of the slow phase of the job and because of the payment concern.

I actually cancelled the contract because it isn't working for me and I feel so underpaid. The client's job posting was actually on hourly rate but we when talked it would be on a escrow. But he assured me that tasks would keep coming in. But the phasing of this job was just to slow. And it's like I've worked for days just to earn that $25 and its not even enough to sustain my kids daily needs.

I am just afraid that if If I was able to change the clients feedback just for the sake to get the $25.00 the client might get back at me and give me a low rating that would affect my score as a freelancer. This freelancing job is my only way now to earn a living for my kids and I am afraid what could happen if I change his feedback and he might get back at me.

Just need help here. Thank you everyone.

[katrinabeaver]

It is absolutely feedback manipulation and you should report it. 

Since you closed the contract that tells me that the $25 wasn't funded so you are out of luck to get that anyway at this point.  Do not change the feedback. You need to be honest and professional in your feedback so other freelancers can use it to make their decisions. 

Take a screenshot of the communications you are having with your client about this and report it. 

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

Thank you for that. I just feel scared. I don't know where I should report this or should I really report this. I don't know where to start.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to ask if there is any way we can amend or change the rating or feedback we give to our clients? I accidentally gave my client an incorrect rating.

[nkocendova]

*Edited for clarity

Hi Jonna,

Generally, a freelancer can contact the client and request that they allow to change your feedback. They can follow the instructions outlined here about Enabling Freelancers to Change Feedback.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

thank you for that information. I just need that answer.

[ruth_bowles]

Is this the same one that you said was trying to blackmail you in another post?

[jonnaelvinia]

Yes. I was trying to change the feedback not until I got the message and now I am thinking twice if I should still change it.

[tlsanders]

Nina, why on earth would an Upwork representative give OP instructions on how to cooperate with obvious feedback manipulation, not even mentioning that the client's demand is a violation of TOS?

[colettelewis]

---

@Tiffany S wrote:

Nina, why on earth would an Upwork representative give OP instructions on how to cooperate with obvious feedback manipulation, not even mentioning that the client's demand is a violation of TOS?

---

_______________

And the client's account should be suspended.

@Jonna do not change your feedback, for $25.OO it is not worth it. Upwork should make sure that your JSS is not affected by his unscrupulous, unacceptable, and unprofessional behaviour.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Nichola,

Thank you. I appreciate that. Nope I'll never change my feedback.  I am trying to find a way now to block this client so he won't bug me.

[nkocendova]

Tiffany,

I realize this does seem confusing. I originally responded to the question that the OP posted in a separate thread about changing feedback without any other details about her situation with the client. Once she created another thread explaining the situation with her client, I responded to her inquiry there, however the threads were merged to keep everything related to the situation in one place.

[colettelewis]

---

@Nina K wrote:

Tiffany,

I realize this does seem confusing. I originally responded to the question that the OP posted in a separate thread about changing feedback without any other details about her situation with the client. Once she created another thread explaining the situation with her client, I responded to her inquiry there, however the threads were merged to keep everything related to the situation in one place.

---

 _________________

The problem with merging, is that misplaced chronology can result in an incoherent thread.

[bella56]

You absolutely should report it. I don't know what your profile says but make sure you don't sound desperate. This person is taking advantage of you big time. I personally find hourly rate jobs impossible, but to each her own. I never take a 'payment unverified' job either. I know getting started is tough, but stick with it. You will find that most clients are reasonable people, but you just happened to get a rotten apple. Hang in there and good luck!

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Isabel,

I am trying to see if I can report the client however when I check the options available I don't see an option that actually fits for this situation. So I am not sure how to report this now. Is there any way I can report this since this is a feedback manipulation concern.

[g_vasilevski]

Hi Jonna,

You can send me a PM with the contract ID and other evidence that you would like to include and our will review the client, or you can contact our customer support and send us the evidence via ticket.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Goran,

I am sorry but this would be my first time doing this. I just don't know how to create a ticket.

[g_vasilevski]

Hi Jonna,

Please click on this Link and then on the green button Get Help, once you have filled out all of the details as per the instructions showing in the pop up you will see an option Submit Ticket.

[bella56]

Hi Jonna,

You will have to get one of the clue-up members here! I'm just a writer!

[jonnaelvinia]

I am trying to see if I can report the client however when I check the options available I don't see an option that actually fits for this situation. So I am not sure how to report this now. Is there any way I can report this since this is a feedback manipulation concern. I've tried checking everywhere how can I report this client for feedback manipulation but I can't seem to find an answer.Can anyone help me how to report this?

[rosannawebb]

I have quiet similar experience from a previous client. He gave me a bonus even though I didn't asked for it. I thought he is only pleased with my work. But he only did it for me to change my feedback about him. He want me to give him a 5 star rating with a positive feedback. He is like paying me through a "bonus" to give him a positive review and a perfect rating.I didn't do what he asked. I prefer a real feedback about a client so it can give other freelancers a warning. The client is toxic and is very strict. He wants a fast turn around. I am not a robot and I cannot tolerate working with him anymore. I am so stressed in hitting the deadline he gave. I neverr thought that the deadline is just very short since it was not mentioned in his job posts. I feel trapped in working on the project as I have already accepted the job before the instructions were given. 

In your situation, the client will pay you no matter what whether you give a negative feedback or no feedback at all. But if the task is a fixed project, the client can juts pay you in his own terms if he liked your work or not. This is the downside of fixed projects unlike on hourly projects, clients are forced to pay you whether they like your service or not. That's why I prefer to work on hourly jobs only. It is more secure than fixed projects. 

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

I actually cancelled the contract on my end. Due to the real was because of the payment concern, slow phase of the job and I am underpaid. I was really thinking of changing the feedback not until I got his last message.

[nkocendova]

Hi Jonna,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I assure you our team will review the contract and client and will take appropriate action based on any findings of violations of our Terms of Service.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Nina,

Thank you for all the help. I just felt that I was working for days and not getting anything that is why I decided to cancel the contract. I am just afraid with this client that he might get back at me. 

[katrinabeaver]

He can't do anything. Just DON'T push the "enable the client to change feedback" button on the contract. 

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi Everyone,

It's me again and this client has been asking me why I am still not changing my feedback for him?...I just need help...I don't  know what to answer...should I tell him that I was advised by Upwork that I shouldn't be changing my feedback because it is a feedback manipulation?

[iamchunchunchun]

Maybe tell him politely that $25 is not enough to prevent you from telling the truth?

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

Okay. But what if he won't stop bugging me? What do I do? 

[tlsanders]

Jonna, you are a grown-up professional running your own business. You handle it.

Tell the client that you aren't going to change the feedback, or ignore him, or block him. It's your choice.

If he keeps bugging you, ignore him, or block him, or report him, or some combination of the above. Or, just calmly and politely tell him that nothing he says is going to make you change the feedback and you don't want to hear from him again.

Don't position yourself as a victim here. Yes, your client is behaving unreasonably and it sucks that you have to deal with it...but, that's part of running a business. It's going to happen sometimes. Take charge of the situation. If you're intimidated by clients, it will cause you problems for as long as you're freelancing.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

I think yeah I'll just block him. Probably that's the best thing to do.  Thank you for all your advise. I am sorry if I was like a kid acting like I really don't know what to do. I just wanted to be careful in doing things so it won't be taken against me. Also one more thing, how do I block this client? I can't see the option of blocking him.

[tlsanders]

Jonna, I wasn't criticizing how you were acting at all. I can see that you're young, and many freelancers have difficulty with situations like this. I'm only saying that, for your own good, you're going to have to toughen up and learn to stand up for yourself in this business.

[petra_r · Accepted solution]

---

@Jonna E wrote:

. Also one more thing, how do I block this client? I can't see the option of blocking him.

---

 In messages, click on the client's picture and select "Block"

[petra_r]

---

@Jonna E wrote:

Hi,

Okay. But what if he won't stop bugging me? What do I do? 

---

Just block him. End of bugging 🙂 

[tlsanders]

---

@Hiu Chun L wrote:

Maybe tell him politely that $25 is not enough to prevent you from telling the truth?

---

 Definitely not this--it sounds like a negotiation. Not only will it fail to end the discussion, it may get her suspended as well.

[jonnaelvinia]

Hi,

what do I do?

[bella56]

Good for you, Nina! We don't need this kind of 'client' on Upwork!