I received an email from Upwork using autoclicker

[04b3b57d]

I haven't had a contract to work on for the past one to two weeks. However, I recently got an email from Upwork support claiming me of manipulating the keystrokes on one of my contracts through using an auto-clicker. I recently created a Chrome plugin which helps me to load more reviews on a job page. When the job page is opened, the chrome extension has a feature that clicks on client reviews to load more reviews. That's it. I developed this extension few days ago and there is no contract i'm working at except i'm applying to jobs on Upwork. Here's what Upwork support says:

May 8, 2023, 8:26 PM GMT+5

Hello Ammad,
 
During our normal contract review, we noticed that you may be using an auto-clicker or manipulating the keyboard to track hours.  If you are using an auto-clicker or manipulating your keyboard it is a violation of the Upwork Terms of Service. 
 
In line with this, you are given 48 hours to respond and explain why such activity is present in your screenshots.  Failure to do so will result in further action on your account.
 
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Upwork Trust & Safety Team

I removed the extension i was using. I won't use it from now on.

[e1281dd0]

I mean, if it's against the platform's policies, you should stop using the extension. The best thing you can do is to be honest in your response and stop using this extension.

[04b3b57d]

I told them, I was using that Chrome extension. I also sent them a loom video explaining about chrome extension. Now I won't use the extension anymore. However, they said: 

During our normal contract review

It means they meant a contract, not an Upwork Job Page. I went to screenshots of my last contract. I was working on the last contract day and night when activity levels were much higher than normal, This is where they might have thought I'm using an auto-clicker but it was me as a human. I'm also shocked to see so much higher activity levels. I was literally so encouraged to fix the issue. How can I explain this to the Upwork team?

[ArjayM]

Hi Ammad,

I can see that you've responded to the team's message about the issue. We highly suggest you continue coordinating with the team through that email or this ticket and they will surely assist you accordingly. 

[04b3b57d]

I went to screenshots of my last contract. I was working on the last contract day and night when activity levels were much higher than normal, This is where they might have thought I'm using an auto-clicker but it was me as a human. I'm also shocked to see so much higher activity levels. I was literally so encouraged to fix the issue. How can I explain this to the Upwork team?

[759e32fa]

Hi Ammad,

I’m sorry but I won’t be able to assist you here further. Your ticket is assigned to the correct team, and they should be able to answer your inquiries. I would recommend adding these to the same ticket thread so that the team has the correct information to assist you more efficiently. Please don’t hesitate to update the same ticket thread if you have further questions or concerns. 

[04b3b57d]

Also, this login bar appears.

[iwan-spillebeen]

That Zendesk error happens every so often when you're tying to view a support ticket, it's a bug, not related to your issue.

In terms of the problem itself is it possible that you had the extension installed while you were working on a contract?  I.e. it would have picked up the auto-clicking, keeping in mind that a lot of chrome extensions are somewhat poorly designed and they are active whether you use them or not (they're active as long as your browser is open); if so then there is no way for UpWork to validate that you were not using an auto-clicker.

Auto-clickers give a false representation of activity and force low working hours into hourly payment protection hours and give clients a false sense of productivity, it is understandable why UpWork doesn't allow them as they lead to abuse of the payment protection system, even if a client is ok with their use. Using auto-clickers is against the TOS and even if they've been installed for non-UpWork related work should be disabled while you work on an UpWork contract.

[04b3b57d]

I found the culprit, It is the Chrome extension of the client who started the contract. It seems his extension contains the code which automatically clicks in the background. The whole contract was started to fix something in his extension and I started to understand the project, however, his extension contains the code and it was clicking all the time, which made Upwork seems like I'm using auto clicker but it was his Chrome extension. Now Upwork also has struck my account because of his malicious code. Now what am I supposed to do about this?

1. It was his Chrome extension where it was automatically clicking behind the scenes.

2. I just received an email where they are refunding all the money and hours I burnt for this guy.

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

3. It seems like he was using a fake card as well.

My questions are:

1. How can I protect myself from stuff in the future? I'm a developer but it takes us time to understand the source code of the project and until then my account is going to vanish from the upwork world.

2. shall I keep hoping that I'm going to get any penny from the night and day hours I burnt for this fraud?

[iwan-spillebeen]

Ok, if fixing or developing the auto-clicker in question was the actual job then that obviously changes the conversation.

If I was you I would contact UpWork support through the ticket you already have and clarify that the auto-clicker was the job, since you have the code you can provide them with screenshots of such to substantiate your case.  Also any conversation you have with the client about that being the job will greatly help.

That is to ensure that your account does not get suspended, building or fixing and auto clicker as a job on UpWork is obviously an exception to the use of an auto-clicker rule.  Again do this to safeguard your account.

In terms of the payment, due to the use of auto-clicker, UpWork will not support its hourly payment guarantees, so if the client's payment is overdue then UpWork will automatically issue a refund in your name to the client (it is a dumb and legally questionable practice by UpWork).  The only way to recover this is to speak with the client directly and request for a bonus payment through UpWork.

I would focus on my account rather than on the payment, getting clients to do the bonus payments is wishful thinking in many cases if you don't have a long standing relationship.

In terms of future protection, have a clear discussion about the work with the client beforehand so you know whether it involves things like an auto clicker, if it does, agree on a manual time entry contract (you won't get payment protection but the tracker won't be tracking and / or flagging you) or agree on a fixed terms contract in which case you also don't need the tracker.

[04b3b57d]

---

Iwan S wrote:

Ok, if fixing or developing the auto-clicker in question was the actual job then that obviously changes the conversation.

---

No, it wasn't the job to fix the auto-clicker extension. It was a browser extension project however in the background if I opened the browser, it automatically clicks and this is where Upwork thought I was using an auto clicker. Does it make sense?

[iwan-spillebeen]

Yes, as I said earlier, any auto-clicker will trigger activity and as such create a false view of performance and as such could make UpWork liable for payment protection, that's why they are forbidden under the Terms of Service (UpWork might tell you it is to protect clients, but that's secondary).

Your best bet is still to explain the situation to UpWork, that you have an extension installed that isn't related to the project but that auto-clicks, that you didn't realise this would have an effect and that you will remove the extension, provide screenshots.  It is up to UpWork on whether or not to believe you.

[04b3b57d]

Your best bet is still to explain the situation to UpWork, that you have an extension installed that isn't related to the project

---

That extension project was containing malicious code which Upwork made me think I'm using auto-clicker. So, the project itself is the culprit but I didn't know that until now. I provide Upwork screenshot of specific piece of code that was running auto clicks.

[04b3b57d]

There is no way that's going to happen. The client took me outside of work and I can already see this is one of those telegram scams. So, it is pointless, Plus I got myself into big trouble. I will call this a day. he was a clever guy I would say,

So,

1. what can I do in the future to avoid this trouble? 

2. How can I check if my system is sending auto-clicking activities to Upwork in the initial stages of the contract?

3. I like working on Upwork, But as a developer, there are many challenges we have to face. This is one of those challenges, the risk of losing my Upwork account. The problem, this isn't even under my control 😞 I been working as a developer for more than one decade. How impressive, I'm not able to figure out this until UW gave me notice.

[04b3b57d]

I sent them the piece of code that was running over, again and again, to click behind the scenes. Do you think that piece of code will be helpful for them?

[iwan-spillebeen]

I really can't speculate on that, as I have no say in that process.  The best thing to do is explain the whole situation:

1. I was hired by client X to do work Y

2. That extension project contained malicious code which made Upwork think I'm using auto-clicker. So, the project itself is the culprit but I didn't know that until now. 

3. here are screenshots of the job in question and the maliscious code

4. this is what I've done to rectify the situation

In terms of future projects, like I said if there is any doubt, either only do fixed price projects (with prefunded milestones) since the tracker isn't used for this, or agree with the client to allow for manual work entry (you load this into the tracker but it doesn't track the work itself).  Neither are ideal as the latter doesn't offer payment protection but it's safer than getting suspended.

[zafariqbal2727]

Hi Ahmed your issure resolved for this ?