The client stole the work, I can not open a dispute

[1e6539b2]

I did the job and the client is gone. A week later I googled this company, my work was already used.  before getting paid for it, which is totally unacceptable. Here the link with my job: **Edited for Community Guidelines**

I clicked to complete the contract, but the money for the work was not transferred. Now I can't open a dispute. help me please

[sofia2008]

Were you hired on Upwork?

Did you have an hourly contract or a fixed price contract with an amount in escrow?

[1e6539b2]

Yes, I was hired and yes it was a fixed price contract

[sofia2008]

When you look in your Reports, do you see the amount of your contract in any of the tabs?

Reports Home Page - Upwork

[1e6539b2]

No

[sofia2008]

When you look in your Contracts page My Jobs (upwork.com

does it says the milestone is active and funded or something else?

[1e6539b2]

No, this job just disappeared

[1e6539b2]

No, this job just disappeared

[sofia2008]

I am surprised the job could disappear if the milestone was funded. Do you recall sending the work through the Sumit work for Payment button?

[1e6539b2]

No, because there were many iterations of edits, then I threw off the work in the general chat. Now I understand that I made a big mistake and should have uploaded the work differently. But can I open a dispute now?

[sofia2008 · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but technically, there is nothing to dispute. The fixed price contract was not used as it should have. General rule is to never start working until a contract is in place, and to always submit work with the Submit work for payment button (for fixed price contract).

You can ask him to pay you with a bonus, but I doubt it will work.

[1e6539b2]

Thanks for the answer

[martina_plaschka]

Did you close the contract before payment and refund the escrow amount?