What percent of jobs are scams?

e647228a · ‎09-13-2021

I'm very new to Upwork but have already encountered a few scams. I'm noticing similar ads posted repeatedly, often one right after another. For example, I keep seeing jobs that say the pay is in the range of "$1100-$1300 weekly" or that pay an hourly rate of "$16.00-$35.00." That's a red flag to me. Should I assume all jobs that give these specific numbers are scams? Or are these just common ranges for rates? If they're all scams, it seems like they make up more than 50 percent of the editing jobs posted.

hglewis · ‎09-13-2021

Hello Julie!

Welcome to Upwork!

Julie K wrote:
I'm very new to Upwork but have already encountered a few scams. I'm noticing similar ads posted repeatedly, often one right after another. For example, I keep seeing jobs that say the pay is in the range of "$1100-$1300 weekly" or that pay an hourly rate of "$16.00-$35.00." That's a red flag to me. Should I assume all jobs that give these specific numbers are scams? Or are these just common ranges for rates? If they're all scams, it seems like they make up more than 50 percent of the editing jobs posted.

In a word, "Maybe."

Some are genuine projects by legitimate clients. And yet, some are bona fide scam artists. And yet again, some are lazy clients that throw anything out there to see who bites.

I like looking at the client's work history, length of time on the platform, the number of jobs they've posted, and the freelancer reviews from past projects. It gives me a glimpse into their past relationships with freelancers.

Of course, it's not 100%, but it gives me a range to determine if I want to submit a proposal.

It's like that old saying, "Your mileage may vary!"

e647228a · ‎09-13-2021

Woodrow, thank you for your insight. This is helpful.

a0d22766 · ‎12-10-2021

Scam, Fake and Redundunt Ads intern waste valuable resources of upwork and community and need to be identified by experts / admin so that the concerned clients / agencies are questioned and punished suitably.

This is in the inerest of all to maintain authemticity of portal and respect each other.

researchediting · ‎09-13-2021

If you are able to define a niche where you are uniquely or outstandingly able to meet the needs of professionals looking for specific services, the number of scam jobs you see can drop to zero.

roberty1y · ‎09-13-2021

Hourly rate is no guide. Many legitimate clients post a wide range for one job, e.g. $30 to $70, maybe not knowing what the going rate is.

The hallmark of a scammer is trying to get you off the site once you get in touch. It's against the terms of service to have any offsite contact with a client before a contract is started, so both freelancer and client are breaking the rules if they exchange contact details pre-contract.

e647228a · ‎09-13-2021

Thank you, Robert. I'm particularly suspicious of these jobs because there are other similarities as well--extremely vague description of the work to be done, payment unverified, similar (sometimes exactly the same) wording in multiple ads. I guess I'm hoping to find a way to spot the scams before I waste my time submitting a proposal.

kclif98 · ‎09-15-2021

Is there a way we can work together as a group and help each other? Like uplift one another? I'd appreciate so big if someone comes through to work with me. Thank you

e647228a · ‎09-15-2021

Hi Roncliffe! It has been challenging for me to get work here. I found some tips the other day on how to write a good proposal, so maybe they will help you too. https://folyo.me/blog/upwork-proposal-tips/

researchediting · ‎09-20-2021

Roncliffe K wrote:
Is there a way we can work together as a group and help each other? Like uplift one another? I'd appreciate so big if someone comes through to work with me. Thank you

For a number of reasons, not likely. Remember that while we may be in some sense colleagues, we are also competitors. Many of us are specialists, and have little work suitable for us that would also or better be suited for others—even when we know their history, skills, and attitudes. The best I can suggest is to look at the profiles of successful freelancers in your field, and see if you can glean any hints to that success from how they present themselves and the contracts they accept.

pgiambalvo · ‎01-25-2022

if you're able to spot them, it seems like UW could too and remove them before we have to flag them, right?

petra_r · ‎01-26-2022

Peter G wrote:
if you're able to spot them,

I'm sure many months after she posted it she's figured it out. Anything in particular that made you resurrect this?

kclif98 · ‎09-15-2021

I did notice the same, Julie.
Plus it's so hard to find a job here. I thought I had landed the right platform, but looks like it'll take sometime. I am just starting. I've been trying for way too long now without success. What's the way, guys? Anyone willing to help? I'd be of much appreciation. Thank you.

resultsassoc · ‎09-27-2021

Roncliffe,

I just read your profile. I wouldn't hire you, because your profile says nothing about how the client benefits from your work. Perhaps, with a degree in IT, you have come to the erroneous conclusion that you should write for other IT professionals. Don't do that. IT professionals have minuscule budgets and view you as a threat. The person with a large budget who views you as a potential partner is the businessman. He doesn't care if you write code in Druid incantations, he cares about what your work will do for him.

So, your profile should read something such as, "I will improve your bottom line by ten cents per share through adroit use of blah blah blah." Or, "I will help you create a sustainable competitive advantage by doing this, that and the other."

Good luck.

colettelewis · ‎12-11-2021

So here is a thread from September - I pressed the newest to oldest sort button. The new poster does not appear first, but somewhere towards the end of an unsorted thread. Upwork seems to have an interesting take on chronology.

But maybe I have missed something.

researchediting · ‎12-15-2021

Julie K wrote:
...I keep seeing jobs that say the pay is in the range of "$1100-$1300 weekly" or that pay an hourly rate of "$16.00-$35.00." That's a red flag to me. Should I assume all jobs that give these specific numbers are scams? Or are these just common ranges for rates?

Jobs offering well below professional rates for editing are certainly a red flag. They are beneath notice.