Penalty for Stealing a Profile

[Scott B]

Recently I flagged a profile of a "freelancer" who copied my profile word for word. He is certainly not the first nor will be the last to do this. UW did take action and I see now that his profile has changed. However, I question why someone can take this kind of action to brazenly and knowingly steal another's profile, get caught, and still be allowed to remain on this platform? Is this the kind of people you wish to attract UW? Is this the kind of behavior you wish to excuse? If these people cannot even write their own profile, how do you think they will represent the UW brand in their interaction with clients? Allowing these people to simply change their profile and go about their day is wrong. UW needs to have a sense of business ethics that are front and center for all who use this platform. This kind of light tap on the wrist for stealing someone's work identify and accomplishments is insulting and you should realize how it damages your own brand in the long run. 

If you need to add some words in the T&C's go ahead and do so, but my call is for you to start banning anyone who is found to have stolen another's profile. If you aren't going to do simple word searches to catch these people before they publish their profile then at least have the integrity to kick them off the platform when you have found them guilty. No technology required, just some ethics and a belief that your platform is better than this and that your honest freelancer's and clients deserve better. 

[Petra R]

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Scott B wrote:

my call is for you to start banning anyone who is found to have stolen another's profile.

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One I flagged a couple of weeks ago for stealing my overview was suspended within the hour and still is...

So was yours just made to change his/her wording?

[Scott B]

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Petra R wrote:

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Scott B wrote:

my call is for you to start banning anyone who is found to have stolen another's profile.

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One I flagged a couple of weeks ago for stealing my overview was suspended within the hour and still is...

So was yours just made to change his/her wording?

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Yes. Profile re-written but otherwise shows available and has the lovely blue check of approval. 

[Bojan S]

Hi Scott,

While I won't be able to share any details about another account status, I'd like to follow up on your report with the team. To do that, I'd like to confirm that I'm checking the correct account. Could you please send me a PM with the link to that profile?

Thank you.

[Scott B]

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Bojan S wrote:

Hi Scott,

While I won't be able to share any details about another account status, I'd like to follow up on your report with the team. To do that, I'd like to confirm that I'm checking the correct account. Could you please send me a PM with the link to that profile?

Thank you.

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PM sent along with another fraudster I caught today. 

[Elena Cristina K]

Hi! I have just flagged an account that copy-pasted 95% of my profile. What is the penalty a freelancer receives for stealing profile descriptions? Thank you!

[Rene K]

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Elena Cristina R wrote:

Hi! I have just flagged an account that copy-pasted 95% of my profile. What is the penalty a freelancer receives for stealing profile descriptions? Thank you!

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They are politely asked to edit it. 😀

[Elena Cristina K]

That's disappointing because I wrote in detail about my past projects, and it's impossible for both of us to have worked on the same tasks. Some of my projects might be more common, but not all of them, especially in the legal field and medical field. She practically lied about her experience.

[Nichola L]

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Elena Cristina R wrote:

That's disappointing because I wrote in detail about my past projects, and it's impossible for both of us to have worked on the same tasks. Some of my projects might be more common, but not all of them, especially in the legal field and medical field. She practically lied about her experience.

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Elena,

Profile theft is completely unacceptable, so keep on posting here until something is done about the person (check and make sure it is not people) who stole it.

[Nichola L]

And now I have just found another one who has taken part of my

 profile (for the nth time). Her profile is set to private. So yet another PM to a mod and no doubt I will receive another letter of disbelief from CS.