Possible a fraud

zrinka989 · ‎09-23-2018

Hello,
since I have been fooled around couple of times, I wonder whether you can check somehow and verify this persons' account.
**Edited for Community Guidelines**.she is a client. her job offer is Travel writer needed fo blog.
She doesnt have verified payment method, 1 job, 1 interview, member since the day before yesterday... She didnt have any questions about my work... How can I be sure it isnt a fraud? Does an open contract mean she will pay? She hasnt placed an offer yet. What about milestones? I have asked her for a link of her blog, thats the only thing I could do.
Thank you, Zrinka

martina_plaschka · ‎09-23-2018

@Zrinka S wrote:
Hello,
since I have been fooled around couple of times, I wonder whether you can check somehow and verify this persons' account.
Donna Jennings.she is a client. her job offer is Travel writer needed fo blog.
She doesnt have verified payment method, 1 job, 1 interview, member since the day before yesterday... She didnt have any questions about my work... How can I be sure it isnt a fraud? Does an open contract mean she will pay? She hasnt placed an offer yet. What about milestones? I have asked her for a link of her blog, thats the only thing I could do.
Thank you, Zrinka

Nobody here can tell you if she's a fraud or not.

I suggest you always go with your gut instinct, if something does not feel right, stop spending any time on it right away.

Many freelancers stay away from fresh clients and don't use their connects to apply to their job(s). They rather wait until the client has developed a history of jobs and feedback.

imedium · ‎09-23-2018

Hi,
Why not give the clients some connects to use when posting a job?
This may prevent clients from posting unserious jobs

martina_plaschka · ‎09-23-2018

@SAMTI I wrote:
Hi,
Why not give the clients some connects to use when posting a job?
This may prevent clients from posting unserious jobs

How would restricting clients to post jobs help anyone?

petra_r · ‎09-23-2018

You don't need a link to her blog.

*IF* she hires you and *IF* you accept the official Upwork contract offer for either an hourly or a fixed rate (funded) contract which you will find on your Upwork interface and in your email and *IF* she then has a verified payment method you can start working.

No contract - no work.

No verified payment method - no work.

Is she asking you to do any work or what is prompting your post?

@Martina P wrote:
Many freelancers stay away from fresh clients and don't use their connects to apply to their job(s). They rather wait until the client has developed a history of jobs and feedback.

They are missing out on some of the most lucrative jobs with some of the nicest and easiest clients that way.

You are of course right that the scammers generally hide among the "new client with unverified payment method" crowd but honestly, as long as you don't work without a contract, use some common sense, wait until payment method is verified before doing anything, there is nothing inherently "wrong" with new clients or those who don't have a verified payment method *yet* at the time of posting their first job per se.

tinker_bell3 · ‎09-23-2018

Hi Zrinka,

I' sorry to hear about your experience. I checked your account and it looks like you are already communicating with one of our customer support members regarding this job post. Please refer to the agent's email response and also, check out this thread for tips to avoid questionable jobs. Thanks!

~ Joanne

colettelewis · ‎09-23-2018

@Zrinka S wrote:
Hello,
since I have been fooled around couple of times, I wonder whether you can check somehow and verify this persons' account.
**Edited for Community Guidelines**.she is a client. her job offer is Travel writer needed fo blog.
She doesnt have verified payment method, 1 job, 1 interview, member since the day before yesterday... She didnt have any questions about my work... How can I be sure it isnt a fraud? Does an open contract mean she will pay? She hasnt placed an offer yet. What about milestones? I have asked her for a link of her blog, thats the only thing I could do.
Thank you, Zrinka

________________________________

You can't be sure it's not a scam. However, there is no such thing as an "open contract" on Upwork. When (if) she makes you an offer, you firmly state your terms and that the contract must be either hourly (tracked) or as a fixed-rate job with the entire amount you have agreed to with the client paid into escrow before you start work.

The only way any client is viable, is if they make you an official offer through Upwork and you agree to the terms.