Nov 15, 2019 02:41:15 AM by Jennifer R
I stumbled over a profile of a top rated freelancer, the photo is fake and the portfolio shows the poor quality of his work.
Since it says on the profile:
"This freelancer’s identity has been verified through a government ID check and a video call. You will see their verified name if you enter into a contract together."
I can only assume that photos used in profiles are not checked and freelancers can just use any photo they find on the internet as long the goverment ID matches the person in the video call.
Nov 15, 2019 02:48:28 AM by Maria T
Actually, I find it very difficult to understand how it is possible that his identity is verified.
How did he do it? He made a mask? Dis he fool the interviewer like that?
MYSTERY!
Nov 15, 2019 02:51:25 AM by Goran V
Hi Jennifer,
Could you please send me the profile link via PM you`re referring to so that I can check the details? Thank you.
Nov 15, 2019 02:58:58 AM by Maria T
The profile is flagged and with links to websites with the image.
A widely used image, LOL
Nov 15, 2019 04:05:46 AM by Maria T
Goran V wrote:Hi Jennifer,
Could you please send me the profile link via PM you`re referring to so that I can check the details? Thank you.
Goran,
Well, he is gone. Really quick!
But I keep asking the same thing, how did he pass the video verification?
Who did his verification? Perhaps he/she needs glasses.
Or did he change the photo right after passing it? That is not controlled?
Nov 15, 2019 05:36:47 AM by Vladimir G
Hi Jennifer and Maria,
Thanks for flagging this profile! I can confirm we have systems in place to detect violations like these and will soon be expanding the tools we use in order to ensure accounts reflect accurate information.
Jan 3, 2020 03:08:55 PM Edited Jan 3, 2020 03:13:01 PM by Jennifer R
Vladimir G wrote:Hi Jennifer and Maria,
Thanks for flagging this profile! I can confirm we have systems in place to detect violations like these and will soon be expanding the tools we use in order to ensure accounts reflect accurate information.
Another verified faked profile. Alexander Skarsgard is not native German.
https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013a76dfa0a7916b09
Jan 3, 2020 03:25:24 PM by Nichola L
Adding to what Jennifer has said, there are at least ten false Nigerian profiles, all with the same name, (sometimes reversed) the same copied profiles, but different (fake) pictures, different countries. Most offer translation services, others offer copywriting and so forth.
Rather than rolling out absurd messages to top-rated freelancers about not being in touch with clients, isn't it time for Upwork to stop relying on freelancers to act as Upwork's unpaid police service and coming out with platudinous statements that systems have been put in place to stop this sort activity.
Jan 3, 2020 03:35:49 PM by Jennifer R
Nichola L wrote:Adding to what Jennifer has said, there are at least ten false Nigerian profiles, all with the same name, (sometimes reversed) the same copied profiles, but different (fake) pictures, different countries. Most offer translation services, others offer copywriting and so forth.
Rather than rolling out absurd messages to top-rated freelancers about not being in touch with clients, isn't it time for Upwork to stop relying on freelancers to act as Upwork's unpaid police service and coming out with platudinous statements that systems have been put in place to stop this sort activity.
One of these profiles made 17k in two months.
Jan 3, 2020 04:20:44 PM by Douglas Michael M
Jennifer R wrote:One of these profiles made 17k in two months.
That's the kind of thing that raises (once again) the specter of money laundering.
Jan 3, 2020 04:34:51 PM by Jennifer R
Douglas Michael M wrote:
Jennifer R wrote:One of these profiles made 17k in two months.
That's the kind of thing that raises (once again) the specter of money laundering.
Not in this case. The client hired two proofreaders for a translation job. He will surely try to get some money back.
Jan 3, 2020 06:48:44 PM Edited Jan 3, 2020 06:49:49 PM by Mary W
I am post-retirement age and not very tech savvy but even I know to right click an image to search. Can CS not be taught this basic skill?
ETA there are pictures of Bradley Cooper on a bunch of profiles...
Jan 3, 2020 03:29:18 PM Edited Jan 3, 2020 08:12:06 PM by Preston H
re: "Alexander Skarsgard is not native German."
He was German in "The Aftermath."
re: "...there are pictures of Bradley Cooper on a bunch of profiles..."
Whether it is Bradley Cooper or Alexander Skarsgard or Tom Cruise... It surprises me that fraudulent freelancers use pictures of movie stars when they create their fake profile pages. I would respect the fakers more if they didn't use such obvious fake photos.
Apr 5, 2021 10:48:42 AM by Eleonora G
Hi Goran,
One of my clients has a fake picture and just their initials instead of a real name. How can I be sure it's not a fraud and they're going to pay me? They have a verified payment method but is that enough?
Thanks,
Apr 29, 2021 05:49:25 AM by Viacheslav K
Eleonora G wrote:Hi Goran,
One of my clients has a fake picture and just their initials instead of a real name. How can I be sure it's not a fraud and they're going to pay me? They have a verified payment method but is that enough?
Thanks,
As for hourly work that doesn't matter. For a fixed price, it's risky. I had few of those clients. They paid me, but all of them weren't that good of clients.
Apr 29, 2021 05:46:24 AM by Maria T
Resurrecting the thread.
How is it possible that there are still freelancers who have two accounts?
I have found a freelancer who has two accounts, both verified, with the photo of the same person (different position but perfectly recognizable), both top rated, and who claims to live in two different cities. Not only that, two different countries, and more, two different continents.
The name, easy, change the name to the last name.
By the way, marked profiles. PM to Valeria. And, there he continues.
Apr 29, 2021 07:29:56 AM by Valeria K
Hi Maria,
We've followed up on your report with the team. The accounts will be reviewed according to our internal processes and appropriate action taken.
Thank you!
Jul 24, 2021 03:55:36 PM by Jennifer R
I reported another verified profile with a stock photo.
But I was also wondering about clients using fake photos. Isn't that a ToS violation?
Jul 24, 2021 04:03:02 PM by Preston H
re: "But I was also wondering about clients using fake photos. Isn't that a ToS violation?"
I am not the one who decides that. But I have never considered it a TOS violation for clients to use image files that don't depict their own face. My personal preferences would be for Upwork to allow clients to not have a profile photo, or to use pretty much any avatar image they want.
Jul 24, 2021 04:18:17 PM by Jennifer R
Preston H wrote:re: "But I was also wondering about clients using fake photos. Isn't that a ToS violation?"
I am not the one who decides that. But I have never considered it a TOS violation for clients to use image files that don't depict their own face. My personal preferences would be for Upwork to allow clients to not have a profile photo, or to use pretty much any avatar image they want.
Yes, I don't care about clients not using a photo, but I now encountered one that uses a fake photo and wrong name. The ToS should apply to all users and it clearly says:
4.1 EXAMPLES OF PROHIBITED USES OF THE SITE
The following are examples of uses that are prohibited on the Site or when using the Site Services:
[...]
Fraudulent or misleading uses or content, including:
[...]
using a profile photo that is not you, misrepresents your identity or represents you as someone else, or any other activity that misrepresents your identity;
Jul 24, 2021 09:04:16 PM Edited Jul 24, 2021 10:04:30 PM by Petra R
Preston H wrote:But I have never considered it a TOS violation for clients to use image files that don't depict their own face.
It either is or it isn't. It's not something we can consider to be or not to be. As it happens, it is a TOS violation for any user to use an image that misrepresents their identity..
Preston H wrote:My personal preferences would be for Upwork to allow clients to not have a profile photo, or to use pretty much any avatar image they want.
Clients don't have to have a profile picture and can use pretty much any avatar they want.
Jul 25, 2021 05:48:55 AM by Robert Y
Jennifer R wrote:I reported another verified profile with a stock photo.
But I was also wondering about clients using fake photos. Isn't that a ToS violation?
Does the photo still have the watermark? I can't imagine any of these grifters paying €67.99 for it.
Jul 26, 2021 02:57:53 AM by Jennifer R
Robert Y wrote:
Jennifer R wrote:I reported another verified profile with a stock photo.
But I was also wondering about clients using fake photos. Isn't that a ToS violation?
Does the photo still have the watermark? I can't imagine any of these grifters paying €67.99 for it.
I guess it was stolen from a one of the pages that actually paid for the use.
Jul 28, 2021 06:23:49 AM by Valeria K
Hi Jennifer,
Clients can choose to upload a profile picture to their account. They can upload a photo of themselves (the account holder) or their logo. Alternatively, they can choose not to have a picture at all. Clients are not however, permitted to use a fake picture or a picture of somebody else who is not the account owner. We appreciate you flagging such accounts so that the team can review these instances.
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