client asks for security fee in advance to start a project for freelancer.

[#1]

Hy, if client asks for security fee to pan in advance to start project than do I need to pay or deposit any fee regarding securty fee. 

[#2]

Of course they do. Too bad so many are unaware of this and  are asked violate it by responding to scammers who can easily set up accounts here because of little or no verification simply by opening up a new account after having having their posts removed that should be able to be blocked from appearing in our feeds before we even see them.

[#3]

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Krizia B wrote:

Hello, Maria.

I also experienced the same situation as yours. They asked me to message them on Telegram if I'm interested in the job they posted. I messaged them and even sent them my CV. After some discussions, he send a pdf file with project details which I saw that the freelancer needs to pay a certain amount as an "Insurance Fee" and will be refunded after the completion of the first project. 

---

I'm afraid you've misunderstood me.
That hasn't happened to me.
If you had followed the ToS, it wouldn't have happened to you either.

[#4]

I experienced exactly the same today. Glad I made some research first

[#5]

Hi Joyce,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'll go ahead and forward your report for the team to review and take action as per our processes. If you see a violation of the Upwork Terms of Service, we encourage you to report it.

[#6]

hello Bojan do we have like a disclaimer note to provide to avoid this matter 

just got one today asking for 60USD Security  fee. But i ignored it . 

[#7]

re: "do we have like a disclaimer note to provide to avoid this matter. just got one today asking for 60USD Security  fee. But i ignored it ."

You don't need a note.

If someone asks you for a security fee, don't send a note. Don't say no. Stop communicating immediately.

Use the "Flag as inappropriate" link option on the job posting page. That's it.

[#8]

I just received a work and they are asking for a security fee.

[#9]

Hi Malachi,

Thank you for reaching out to us and bringing this to our attention. I shared your report with our team for further investigation and appropriate actions will be taken according to our internal processes.

Please know that a real client will never ask you to give them money to start working, cash a check for them, work for free, or provide your personal information. Sharing contact information before a contract has started is against Upwork's Terms of Service and all communications prior to the contract starting must take place on Upwork. I also encourage you to let us know if a TOS violation has happened by using the Flag as Inappropriate option throughout the platform. You can learn more about user reporting here.

You may want to check this post and this help article to help you stay safe on Upwork. 

[#10]

Hi Nikola,

I have a similar experience with them and have already flagged them. Is there a way to get back my Connects? Can you provide the steps? I just started here in Upwork for my career growth with you but it seems I have used them with these scams 😭

[#11]

If you want to use Upwork for career growth, you need to take some time to learn how the platform works and about the Terms of Service you agreed to. Communicating outside Upwork before a contract is in place, agreeing to receive payment outside of Upwork, or paying an amount to a client outside of Upwork are all violations of Upwork's Terms of service and can result in an account suspension. Learning as you go is not the best strategy. You need to prepare, and resume sending proposals when you are more familiarized.

[#12]

Hello, If the client ask me to contact their manager in telegram.. it's that scam? We all know upwork have chatbox for client and employee.

[#13]

Telegram chats, paying security deposit, buying stuff for client to start the job are some of the ongoing scams on this platform.

Any communication request outside Upwork chat or Upwork's zoom setup is probably by a scammer or someone looking for free work.

If it's a genuine client, remind them , and they won't insist on using outside platform for messages or payments 

If the "client" goes silent, thank your stars that you escaped a fake one! 

[#14]

Read this:  https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b...

[#15]

Me too.  **Edited for Community Guidelines** is name of the client

[#16]

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Helena T wrote:
Me too.  **Edited for Community Guidelines** is name of the client

---

No, it isn't. Scammers don't use their real names.

If you don't violate Upwork's Terms of Service by communicating with a prospective client outside of Upwork (which is strictly forbidden) before you are hired, you are quite safe from the vast majority of scams...

[#17]

 **Edited for Community Guidelines** is the name of the client on Upwork. Could be made up.
But, in the email it wasn't her but some generic text asking me to PAY SECURITY FEE. Never heard of that. And everyone around me who is on Upwork, told me to decline.

[#18]

Could u help please , i already sent 14 proposale and did not get my first freelancing job

[#19]

I'm having a similar experience with a client now.

I was asked by**Edited for Community Guidelines**to contact the project supervisor "**Edited for Community Guidelines**" via a link that redirected me to telegram which I did and I was asked to pay some security fee in advance for a project.

Please what should I do.

[#20]

Hi Precious,

Thank you for reporting this, our team will review the client and will take proper actions.

Please keep in mind that communicating outside of Upwork or sharing contact information before an official contract is formed, is not allowed and it is in violation of our TOS.

To learn more about getting started on Upwork and how to protect yourself, check out our resources here. Thank you.

[#21]

There's still a lot of them and they still working on it

[#22]

It's a scam. Don't communicate outside of Upwork before being hired, and do not pre pay for anything. Flag these job postings in the future. It is against Upwork's Terms of Service to communicate off Upwork.

[#23]

Yes, me too. They asked for my personal info. which is normal but it is outside UpWork (on Telegram). He asked for a security fee in advance for the project. I have a screenshot of the person here.

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

[#24]

It's a scam and asking for personal information is not normal. 

[#25]

Hi Ezekiel, 

As a gentle reminder, please note that users cannot communicate off Upwork until a contract has been set up on your account (the client sent an offer, and you accepted it). It would also be best to visit these articles for more information on how you can keep in line with Upwork's Terms of Service when engaging on the website:

• The new starter's guide to being safe and successful on Upwork
• Get to know each other before a contract
• Keeping your contact information safe

Please also be careful about sharing personal information with a potential client. This is an unusual request and one we don't recommend meeting. Clients normally don't need this information and you can share with them your general information about you if needed or redirect them to your Upwork profile.

You may also want to read up on this Community article and these articles for more information about working safely through Upwork.

[#26]

**Edited for community guidelines**

 

 

 How can identify trusted client?