Need to make sure this offer isn't dodgy.

[#1]

Hi all...

I am brand new on Upwork...In fact, this is about my very first proposal.  I am hoping someone can help me with my concerns, and that I can explain it adequately.  

• I sent a proposal for **edited for Community Guidelines** on January 1.
• On January 3, I received a message on Upwork inviting me to interview via Skype.
• I had the interview on Skype and was told that someone would get back to me soon.
• On January 4 (yesterday), I received an offer via my email address, not Upwork, offering me the job.
• I signed the offer and emailed it back.
• Now I'm wondering if I'll be violating Upwork's TOS because they will pay me bi-weekly via direct deposit and not through Upwork.

During the Skype interview, the woman told me that they had paid an opt-out fee...I'm not sure what that means.  I have documentation of everything except the Skype transcript.

Do I need to be concerned, or am I overthinking this?

Many thanks!!

Lori

[#2]

re: "they will pay me bi-weekly via direct deposit and not through Upwork."

Lori: you could have your Upwork account suspended simply for having had that conversation. I am not exaggerating or kidding. We have seen freelancers have their accounts suspended or sanctioned for less than that when it comes to this rule. This is a very serious rule.

You need to stop communicating with this scammer.

I recommend that you block that person on Skype, Upwork and any other communications system.

Use the "Flag as inappropriate" link button on the job post.

If Upwork contacts you, then answer their questions truthfully. Because you are new and are coming forward with this yourself, you will not be sanctioned for this.

[#3]

Well, this is disappointing and frustrating!!  How am I supposed to know when a potential job is a scam?!?  

Thank you for your response.  Not what I wanted to hear, but glad to know I was right to wonder.

Kind regards,

Lori M.

[#4]

> How am I supposed to know when a potential job is a scam?!?  

In this case, report clients that ask for payments outside Upwork. You get a notification about that in the chat when a email or messager is mentioned.

[#5]

Hi Lori, 

I'm sorry to learn about your experience in Upwork. Please know that it is a violation of the Upwork Terms of Service to offer, and accept payments off the platform. If any of your future clients claim that they have paid the opt-out fee, you can contact the Customer Support Team directly to confirm this information. 

I highly recommend that you read up on the freelancer resources we have compiled, to be able to read the Safety First! section of the resources, and these tips for avoiding questionable jobs for more information about working safely through Upwork.

For reference, you may also want to check this help article to know what actions may cause your account to be permanently or temporarily put on hold. 

I'll go ahead and check on this client and report them to the team for their review and action.

[#6]

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Lori M wrote:

Well, this is disappointing and frustrating!!  How am I supposed to know when a potential job is a scam?!?  

When you agree to be paid outside the platform you are sagreeing that you will scam Upwork. Did you ever think about it that way?

You were about to be scammed out of thousands of Dollars, but even agreeing to receive fake money outside the platform is wrong.

[#7]

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Lori M wrote:

Well, this is disappointing and frustrating!!  How am I supposed to know when a potential job is a scam?!?  

Thank you for your response.  Not what I wanted to hear, but glad to know I was right to wonder.

Kind regards,

Lori M.

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Read all the info available to newbies on top of this page and the help section.