Is the payment on Upwork guaranteed?

[#1]

I am new to Upwork and freelancing, how does Upwork know how many hours I worked? and how does it guarantee that the person that hired me doesn't bail out on me?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Mohamed:

Clients are billed AUTOMATICALLY for the hours that you work. And Upwork pays you money AUTOMATICALLY.

It does not matter if a client "bails" or not. That changes nothing when it comes to you getting paid for the hours that you logged.

[#3]

how do i log the hours? is there some kinda software I must download?

[#4]

You need to do some reading for yourself instead of asking one question at a time in the forum - there's a lot that you need to learn before you get started. But first, I would recommend that you spend a lot more time working on your profile, because you won't get paid if nobody hires you: https://www.upwork.com/resources/how-to-get-started-on-upwork-as-a-freelancer

[#5]

thanks 🙂

[#6]

re: "how do i log the hours?"

Using the Upwork desktop time-tracker application.

re: "is there some kinda software I must download?"

Yes.

Plus:

You should follow Christine's suggestions.

[#7]

Read the links given here for hourly protection and fixed price protection: 

https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211062568-Upwork-Payment-Protection

But also read this carefully, since you need to watch out for scammers and vet your clients - Upwork won't protect you if you break the rules: https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b... 

[#8]

It is only "guaranteed" if you use time tracker for hourly contracts 100% correctly. Fixed price protection is very misleading. You are not protected and will not get your payment if the client's money in escrow is later "refunded" because their card is later discovered to have been stolen. Upwork does not make sure it isn't stolen before allowing a client to use it. And if the client later issues a chargeback, they will get their money back and you will not get paid. And if either of those things happen after you withdraw the money, you will have to pay it back to Upwork. Same is true for manual hours contracts.