Solved: Possible scam?

Ashley D · ‎04-03-2020

As a newbie, I was excited to get some interest in a proposal I submitted. Upwork emailed that the job had been removed because it did not meet their standards, yet a message had been sent in Upwork from the client. In addition, they emailed me a very generic email about getting on Telegram.org to have an interview, with a person who has a basic name. When I looked back at the chat, Upwork had noted this person currently doesn't have access to Upwork and will not until access has been restored.

My gut is that I won't be responding to the email, but my question is this: Is this common on Upwork? I thought this might be a safer space to get work and avoid that. Thanks in advance!

Nichola L · ‎04-03-2020

Ashley D wrote:
As a newbie, I was excited to get some interest in a proposal I submitted. Upwork emailed that the job had been removed because it did not meet their standards, yet a message had been sent in Upwork from the client. In addition, they emailed me a very generic email about getting on Telegram.org to have an interview, with a person who has a basic name. When I looked back at the chat, Upwork had noted this person currently doesn't have access to Upwork and will not until access has been restored.

My gut is that I won't be responding to the email, but my question is this: Is this common on Upwork? I thought this might be a safer space to get work and avoid that. Thanks in advance!

____________________________

Your gut is correct! And yes, scammers are common on Upwork - they are common everywhere. And you can avoid it in exactly the way you have. If you see that Upwork has delisted a job or that a "client" no longer has access to Upwork then you will know that Upwork has acted to remove a scammer.

You can find dozens of sites on the Internet about how to recognize scammers and on Upwork have a look at this thread that gives links to many help pages for newcomers as well as tips to avoid questionable jobs: https://community.upwork.com/t5/New-to-Upwork/Getting-Started-on-Upwork/m-p/264214#M2460

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Nichola L · ‎04-03-2020

Ashley D wrote:
As a newbie, I was excited to get some interest in a proposal I submitted. Upwork emailed that the job had been removed because it did not meet their standards, yet a message had been sent in Upwork from the client. In addition, they emailed me a very generic email about getting on Telegram.org to have an interview, with a person who has a basic name. When I looked back at the chat, Upwork had noted this person currently doesn't have access to Upwork and will not until access has been restored.

My gut is that I won't be responding to the email, but my question is this: Is this common on Upwork? I thought this might be a safer space to get work and avoid that. Thanks in advance!

____________________________

Your gut is correct! And yes, scammers are common on Upwork - they are common everywhere. And you can avoid it in exactly the way you have. If you see that Upwork has delisted a job or that a "client" no longer has access to Upwork then you will know that Upwork has acted to remove a scammer.

You can find dozens of sites on the Internet about how to recognize scammers and on Upwork have a look at this thread that gives links to many help pages for newcomers as well as tips to avoid questionable jobs: https://community.upwork.com/t5/New-to-Upwork/Getting-Started-on-Upwork/m-p/264214#M2460

Ashley D · ‎04-03-2020

Thank you!