Solved: Client’s account permanently blocked

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

In the past, I have done some copyediting for an old acquaintance. This was not through Upwork.

Recently, I told him to post his jobs to me via Upwork, and I sent him my profile link.

He did post a job and send me an invitation.

By the time I responded to the invitation, the proposal had been removed.

The client notified me that he had received an email from Upwork stating “you are violating Upwork's Terms of Service. I regret to inform you that your Upwork account is now permanently blocked.”

The client (a first-time user of Upwork) was stunned at this notification.

I thought Upwork welcomed freelancers bringing clients to the Upwork platform.

Can someone shed some light on this?

What leads to a permanent blocking?

"Certa bonum certamen"

Amanda L · ‎09-03-2021

Ravindra B wrote:
Preston H wrote:

The probem is this:
Whether or not it is against ToS, this is a VERY DANGEROUS THING TO DO.

Duly noted. I'll refrain from inviting known people to Upwork.

Or at least, I'll invite then through Upwork.

Ravindra, the thing is, Upwork wants us to bring our own clients to Upwork, that's why there's the Bring Your Own Client program. The thing is, when that client is friends or family, it's fishy.

So, if you have a perfectly legit, separate client who you want to bring to Upwork, you can probably do that through BYOC. If it's a friend or family member, it will raise red flags and could cause account suspension, etc.

But you're not the first person to be confused with how this works and what's allowed and what's not. I don't think you're trying to game the system. It is easier in many ways to manage payments, etc., through Upwork and not worry about it. But there are a lot of people trying to game the system. And Upwork automates so many of it's review processes, the bot can't tell the difference, you know?

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Youssef B · ‎09-03-2021

Hi Ravindra,

The only one who can let you know what happened is your client.

Most probably, the reason for the suspension was stated in the email that he received.

I don't think that anyone in the community can provide you with any accurate reason, even the moderators won't share any details about what happened to your client due to confidentiality.

Andrea G · ‎09-03-2021

Hi Ravindra,

I'm sorry to hear about your client's account. If they have any questions about the suspension I would suggest they reply directly to our team's email so they can review and assist further.

~Andrea

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Thank you, Andrea.

The client has already replied to the email he received from Upwork Support.

He was shocked and dismayed at the extreme measure and rather cryptic message.

I wonder if it was a fault on my part.

Should I have taken Upwork’s assistance on inviting a new client on board rather than sending my profile link?

"Certa bonum certamen"

A I · ‎06-09-2023

Hi Andrea.

My account is permanently blocked, but I have had absolutely 0 project activities

What would be the reason for that?

May you check it for me please?

Pradeep H · ‎06-09-2023

Hi AI,

I can see that one of our team members has already notified you about the action via a support ticket. You can access your support tickets here. Please don't hesitate to follow up with them on the same support ticket if you have additional questions regarding your concern. Note that support requests are responded to in the order they are received. Kindly allow 24-48 hours for the team to follow up with you and assist you further.

Thank you,
Pradeep

Robert Y · ‎09-03-2021

Arranging to be hired by someone you already know could count as feedback manipulation. This may be why your client was blocked.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Robert, I understand what you are saying.

But have a look at my profile. Do I need any “artificial feedback”?

Also, when Upwork wants us to bring new clients, do the clients necessarily have to be strangers?

"Certa bonum certamen"

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay.

Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?

Here is something many people don’t seem to understand.

While the big-time freelancers can afford fancy accountants and lawyers, we small-time freelancers cannot.

It is a win-win situation to get work and payment through Upwork.

Not only is my payment protected, but also I do not have the headache of convincing the income tax authorities (because Upwork is known and genuine platform).

Even when people from India send enquiries for copyediting their books, I send them my Upwork profile link so that they can not only see my profile but also give the job via Upwork. They would prefer to pay locally in our currency, but I prefer the security provided by Upwork.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Amanda L · ‎09-03-2021

Ravindra B wrote:
My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay.

Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?

Here is something many people don’t seem to understand.

While the big-time freelancers can afford fancy accountants and lawyers, we small-time freelancers cannot.

It is a win-win situation to get work and payment through Upwork.

Not only is my payment protected, but also I do not have the headache of convincing the income tax authorities (because Upwork is known and genuine platform).

Even when people from India send enquiries for copyediting their books, I send them my Upwork profile link so that they can not only see my profile but also give the job via Upwork. They would prefer to pay locally in our currency, but I prefer the security provided by Upwork.

Why would you pay Upwork fees to do a job for your sister? Why wouldn't your sister just pay you directly and skip the hassle?

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Amanda L wrote:
Why would you pay Upwork fees to do a job for your sister? Why wouldn't your sister just pay you directly and skip the hassle?

Good point; bad example.

Other acquaintances can pay directly too.

Please read my last post again.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Preston H · ‎09-03-2021

re: "My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay. Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?"

You can't get hired to work for your sister on Upwork.

Is it against Upwork ToS?
I don't know.

Who cares?

The probem is this:

Whether or not it is against ToS, this is a VERY DANGEROUS THING TO DO.

It is not Upwork's intention that users hire friends and family members.

Upwork has tons of back-end algorithms running to try to catch people doing this. And if caught, freelancers and clients alike face serious penalties, including suspension, or permanent termination. Freelancers can have their funds confiscated and never get the money back.

So I don't care if it is "against TOS" or not. I would advise anybody to stay completely away from this because I have read so many first-hand acounts in the Forum from people who lost privileges, time, and money when they were caught hiring or getting hired by friends and family.

Some people mistakenly believe that Upwork's rules are entirely encapsulated within the public ToS documentation found here: upwork.com/legal

That's not at all true. The way Upwork ACTUALLY works is based on public ToS, internal rules and policies documentation, actual system source code, and the behavior of Upwork personnel.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Preston H wrote:

The probem is this:
Whether or not it is against ToS, this is a VERY DANGEROUS THING TO DO.

Duly noted. I'll refrain from inviting known people to Upwork.

Or, at least, I'll invite then through Upwork.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Amanda L · ‎09-03-2021

Ravindra B wrote:
Preston H wrote:

The probem is this:
Whether or not it is against ToS, this is a VERY DANGEROUS THING TO DO.

Duly noted. I'll refrain from inviting known people to Upwork.

Or at least, I'll invite then through Upwork.

Ravindra, the thing is, Upwork wants us to bring our own clients to Upwork, that's why there's the Bring Your Own Client program. The thing is, when that client is friends or family, it's fishy.

So, if you have a perfectly legit, separate client who you want to bring to Upwork, you can probably do that through BYOC. If it's a friend or family member, it will raise red flags and could cause account suspension, etc.

But you're not the first person to be confused with how this works and what's allowed and what's not. I don't think you're trying to game the system. It is easier in many ways to manage payments, etc., through Upwork and not worry about it. But there are a lot of people trying to game the system. And Upwork automates so many of it's review processes, the bot can't tell the difference, you know?

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Thank you, Amanda and Preston.

Can Upwork please advise me how to bring in a known person into Upwork?

This person has some serious work in writing and editing.

I don't like direct payments from multiple sources; they are a headache for me.

Would I have to take the person to another platform?

"Certa bonum certamen"

Amanda L · ‎09-03-2021

Ravindra B wrote:
Thank you, Amanda and Preston.

Can Upwork please advise me how to bring in a known person into Upwork?

This person has some serious work in writing and editing.

I don't like direct payments from multiple sources; they are a headache for me.

Would I have to take the person to another platform?

I think you would do best to click the Get Support button gon the bottom right hand corner and ask to chat with an agent to find out which option (BYOC or direct contract) would be best, and also clear it with them. And then you'd also have a paper trail that you'd discussed it openly with Upwork to bring some of your clients on platform.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Amanda L wrote:
I think you would do best to click the Get Support button gon the bottom right hand corner and ask to chat with an agent to find out which option (BYOC or direct contract) would be best, and also clear it with them. And then you'd also have a paper trail that you'd discussed it openly with Upwork to bring some of your clients on platform.

Thank you, Amanda.

I’ll try Upwork Support and either BYOC or direct contract.

As the client is permanently blocked, I guess it will have to be Upwork Support first.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Petra R · ‎09-03-2021

Ravindra B wrote:
My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay.

Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?

Oh yes!

That routinely gets people permanently suspended. There is no genuine reason for your sister to pay you through Upwork.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Petra R wrote:
Ravindra B wrote:
My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay.

Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?
Oh yes!

That routinely gets people permanently suspended. There is no genuine reason for your sister to pay you through Upwork.

Thanks, Petra.

I have already admitted that it is a lousy example.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Maria T · ‎09-03-2021

Petra R wrote:
Ravindra B wrote:
My sister has just completed writing a book, and she wants me to edit it. I am willing to do it for free, but she wants to pay.

Would it be against Upwork’s TOS if I were to ask her to award a job through Upwork?
Oh yes!

That routinely gets people permanently suspended. There is no genuine reason for your sister to pay you through Upwork.

Well, from what he explains, the reason would be that the whole billing thing is easier and cheaper for him.
Actually, it seems like a good reason to me, although I would not risk it with a relative.

Youssef B · ‎09-03-2021

RE:
Ravindra B wrote:
But have a look at my profile. Do I need any “artificial feedback”?

It doesn't matter, because it is an algorithm that won't assume good intentions just because someone has some good feedback.

RE:
Ravindra B wrote:
Also, when Upwork wants us to bring new clients, do the clients necessarily have to be strangers?

Not necessarily, You can bring clients that you know to Upwork but through the Direct Contract feature. This way it cannot be counted as feedback manipulation because this feature doesn't have any effect on your profile metrics (JSS for example). Also, you'll get what you need when it comes to protection.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Youssef B wrote:
Not necessarily, You can bring clients that you know to Upwork but through the Direct Contract feature. This way it cannot be counted as feedback manipulation because this feature doesn't have any effect on your profile metrics (JSS for example). Also, you'll get what you need when it comes to protection.

Thank you, Youssef.

I didn’t even consider the Direct Contracts option.

I have never used it.

Still, even that might seem fishy.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Youssef B · ‎09-03-2021

Nothing fishy about Direct contracts as long as they are used the way they are meant to be used. Check this link: https://www.upwork.com/direct-contracts

You'll find that it is meant for the clients that you already know and want to receive your payment through Upwork.

It is great because the client doesn't have to create an account also the fees are lower than normal contracts.

Ravindra B · ‎09-03-2021

Youssef B wrote:
Nothing fishy about Direct contracts as long as they are used the way they are meant to be used. Check this link: https://www.upwork.com/direct-contracts
You'll find that it is meant for the clients that you already know and want to receive your payment through Upwork.
It is great because the client doesn't have to create an account also the fees are lower than normal contracts.

Yes, Youssef.

But again that could be misconstrued as “manipulating” the feedback.

"Certa bonum certamen"

Khayin M · ‎11-30-2021

He just told you it doesn’t have anything to do with feedback..