The 3 most common upwork scam jobs and how to avoid them

There are a lot of fake jobs and scams on upwork. This video is about the 3 most common ones for freelance web developers. By watching this video, you will learn how to spot them and avoid them.
check out my video on how to make $100 000/year on UpWork: • How to make $100,000 o...
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[@AlecG]

Want to find success on upwork? 🙋‍♂ I just launched a new course called "Upwork Proposal Secrets" Check it out here: alecguniversity.podia.com/upwork-proposal-secrets

[@jeanmoralles977]

It's Upwork themselves scamming freelancers now. Imagine applying for a $50 job and you will have to use 12 connects, and most of the clients has an unverified payment method. Upwork has become greedy.

[@KhaycelynD.]

True

[@isakajohn602]

Exactly,, today I found a job of $20 and required 12 connects to apply it😂

[@skitto6554]

Oh yeah, connects are the worst. The BS post did not bother me before because it was free to submit a proposal. Now, I feel like I'm getting robbed.

[@endorphineguy]

Yeah true. That's why I come to UpWork everyday and look for tons of jobs just to find one with a big hire rate, so I don't risk my connects.

[@franklinjoshua3868]

Man you're just great... honestly I didn't start seeing this video because I'm in a meeting but read all the comments and the way support us is just awesome... Thank you and may God bless❤

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

the worst is this of free test and work. Because it causes trauma

[@kierenjones922]

I applied for a job on Upwork and immediately the person provided me with a link to telegram to communicate. Then he did a mock interview which felt way too easy, like he was prentending to be legit. Next he give me an assignment which was completely different from the assignment he had originally asked for. Next he tells he's from 99designs, which seems to be another freelancing website. Why would a freelancing website recruit a designer from another freelancing site to do work for them that their user base could do for them? Clear scam.

[@AlecG]

It sure looks like a scam... It's frustrating, I feel they are becoming even more common than before. I hope you can avoid scams and get a lot of real jobs in weeks to come.

[@adaobiozumba]

Same thing just happened to me! That's why I'm here! After the fake interview he gave me something different from the work description I saw on upwork and a lot more pay too. I had to ask what the payment process would be like. Like, hope I won't be asked to pay any fee before I get paid and he confirmed that I'll need to pay only tax. Very annoying people

[@basetsanamajube9276]

​@@AlecG they are really increasing in numbers , now they even ask for your upwork login details. Beware!!!

[@tolukuks]

I hopped on a virtual meeting to discuss the job, only to get harassed by asking me to show my whole body on the video meeting. No audio or video from their end, just whoever it was asking me to show them my body. Literally so annoying.

[@AlecG]

That is weird. Seriously it's messed up. I had never heard of anything like this. You should consieder reporting these guys.

[@ripxtargamer]

Ye i also got same today

[@Faizan.Ali93]

It is happening to boys also. The lady gives a proposal for underwear (needs an amatuer male with no experience in modeling). Then will supposedly take a test by telling us to become nude and then will find a stupid reason to reject us...

[@fighterpilot1017]

Reject zoom meetings. Those types of clients are perverts.

[@rottershier6775]

What the fvck

[@toasttoast8687]

thanks for this video, you just saved me from getting scammed out of many hours of my day for 2 weeks

[@farmersmith7057]

UpWork need to disallow URLs in replies. A reg ex can identify obfuscated links too. Scammers want to take freelancers off the platform. If a scammer tries that, automatically suspend them. Basic security here.

[@saifullah23579]

You helped me a lot ❤❤. This video is informative for everyone who is starting freelancing

[@abdusamadabdullakhanov518]

Bro, thank you so much! I watched your video just before giving my bank and card details to a scam employer! scam tried to get my card details out of upwork systems!!!! I did not watch your video full but, dude, I reminded when you say 0:17, because scammer communicated in Telegram! thanks bro!

[@AlecG]

Glad I could help 😉

[@kebalbadal4224]

Hey , there are lot of scam post on upwork about uploading stupid , suspicious app on google play console. I realised it was scam only after chatting for few times. And these kind of job are appearing like every 15 min . Can anything be done against it?

[@mustache515]

Thank You Alec G👍

[@c.c2373]

Well I got scammed today and I didn’t get any money at all,I’m so stressed. I pay to set up a bank account overseas n the money still pending and they say I’ll never get it 😭😭😭😭😭😭foolish me. I was wondering if it’s a scam and I still went through with it.😩 I’m tired and I just sign up lastweek

[@smileybombs5739]

What if I have already given my number on WhatsApp and that person has contacted me? I have blocked and reported that profile on WhatsApp, and want to withdraw proposal on upwork

[@mistroug4051]

Looked for jobs but can't really get.. just scams. Am getting frustrated

[@AlecG]

I totally understand. I think you should try finding freelance jobs outside of upwork. I made a tutorial on how to do that last year. Here's a link to the playlist: m.kzbin.info/aero/PLv-6Zov-V4xNrTRXbJOG3Z0IfpyLtOR1C

[@aimentariq8167]

I have been looking for the jobs for almost a month.all the time scammers found who asked me pay the registration fee or you have to pay according to the currency 😢

[@karinanegrete5402]

Hello! Thank you for uploading this video. I'm new to the site and didn't know about this. I sent a person through telegram my CV, is that a bad thing? should I be scared they use my personal information wrongly? (I had my cellphone on the CV) Thank you for reading!

[@AlecG]

You should get a course on how to find freelance jobs. It really doesn't work like normal jobs. I have never sent my CV and I dont think its a very effective thing to do. Im afraid its too complicated for me to just explain everything in a youtube comment. Have faith in yourself. Once you know how to do it its not that hard

[@pavimona7923]

I done a work and submitted.but payment there didn't send. There asking me levy fees to pay because of US system then only you will receive payment.this is scam or not

[@AlecG]

This is a scam, you should immediately contact upwork about this. You are not the first person who has experienced this, in fact its common enough that upwork warns you about it in their info section.

[@MdShuvo-kn6ox]

After 3 years of constant tring last month a client sent me a message. She asked me for some PHOTO RESTORATION work to test me, I did it with 5hours of continues work and give it back to her. After 4 revisions she's just gone and I didn't find any option on upwork to report her. While doing my work I found out that client was also interviewing 18 people at the same time. Would you pls share what to do if a client ask for a test work?

[@AlecG]

Ideally, you would say no. But in your case I don't think that this is the best advice I can give you. I know that after trying for all this time, at some point you get desperate, and you try to do free work because you hope it will end up in a real contract. I've seen what it's like. My ex girlfriend has gone through the same thing. I think you should just study, learn and master a reliable framework for getting freelance job. I assume you've probably watched a few youtube videos to help you, and I would assume it wasn't enough. You look like a good person, you have a lot of mental toughness because you haven't given up despite all that. If you want different results, I suggest you try a new way to find freelance work. I would love to teach you what I know. I would suggest that you join my course ''the freelance developer starter pack''. It also includes free one-on-one coaching to help you. alecguniversity.podia.com/freelance-developer-starter-pack

[@Davide_wonders215]

thank you so much for this been encountering this right now

[@salwaali4d969]

Hello I just started my Upwork and I got the job. May I ask if it's really necessary to send a refundable linking fee before receiving the payment? May I know if your employer client asks for refundable linking fee upon the pavment procedure?

[@AlecG]

Sorry to disappoint you... but it sounds like a fake job...

[@allthingschanice2485]

I dodged a bullet today. Trust your gut it never lies to you.

[@kapwakomahalko7]

*Hi thanks for this. Isnt there an extra /separate charge for revision?* Best going for you.

[@AlecG]

Normally you charge more per project to account for the possibility that the clients request revisions. But I also explained my revision policy and rates in my proposals in the past and it worked fine. So that's another option I can suggest if you dont want to just charge more on average to account for revisions.

[@freelanceking]

Nice video bro!

[@hoorainrajput2483]

If i provide bank details to those scammers so what i do than it's so worried

[@lilliadawn166]

How do you deal with an Upwork client that ghosts you and doesn't pay for the final milestone when they've already received all the work? Our 3rd milestone was me doing any necessary revisions and submitting a final draft of a written project. She's released half for the first two milestones, but she could probably be content with the project without funding fully. But I put in A LOT of work to only be paid ($100-before upwork cut). How do I handle this? She's ghosting me for the remaining money.

[@gabrielbelaid8028]

Hello: I have appreciated your feedback. How Do I make sure to do the due diligence to make sure that the client is genuine and will pay me?

[@peterkibet5544]

@@AlecG Hi Alec, any data entry jobs, typing, please

[@aliseid7425]

They tied me up on Telegram and then blocked me. you are right. Thank you very much for your advice.

[@etiennegebertpro1969]

They asked me on telegram , when i received the payment they asked me a 50$ fee before the payment is this fake?

[@devanycollis6956]

@@etiennegebertpro1969 yes

[@melmentv-ow9gu]

I am currently working for a project and client said that i should not make any transaction with other project since they are in rush and i should focus on them and also i was contact thru telegrams

[@alaazohbisanteetenv9470]

​@@melmentv-ow9gu yeah me as well, and i honestly don't know if they are fake or not, and idk how to know 😕

[@crazybeauty1111]

Same with me but asking for 80$

[@thejomviking]

Well i almost got scammed today because i they said they are going to paypal me the money only if i create an account on their server which is 50$ The funny part is that i they gave me a scanned book of about 47,000 words to do it three days the book was already ocr marked and was easy to reconvert to a word document which i did in less than 24 hours

[@soksanmedia]

There is a customer who has payment verified but he contacted me to send him a message via another messenger and was confused and he wanted us to move on from what he showed us that is not professional, we will not be involved in the selection proposal I spent a month with him without paying me, is it really a scam, because all the work he gives me is his assignment?

[@AlecG]

Probably a scam. You should consider using other ways of finding freelance jobs. Honestly I'm tired of upwork and all the bullshit you have to go through. Since I started using other methods, everything is easier.

[@AlecG]

I made a tutorial on my favourite way to get freelance work. Try this out: m.kzbin.info/aero/PLv-6Zov-V4xNrTRXbJOG3Z0IfpyLtOR1C

[@soksanmedia]

@@AlecG Thank you for that

[@Unicornpare90s]

I recently did the translation project and after I submit the work, they asked me to pay the fee 60 USD for premium ID, is this a scammer? Another one asked me 80$ one time fee for portal access, also they all sent videos of someone got paid after paying the fee to me. Is this a scammer?

[@Unicornpare90s]

All communicate in telegrams, I would love to send videos that they sent me that people got paid after sending them the fee.

[@AlecG]

Probably still a scam. Sorry mate.

[@Screenwriterkiaraoxley90]

This helped a lot alec and unfortunately I can't find people in my area that are voice actors although its hard doesn't mean I'm going to continue looking

[@AlecG]

Glad it helped. I wish you good luck in finding what you are looking for

[@Screenwriterkiaraoxley90]

@@AlecG thanks it sucks but i will never give up

[@thanuthanujika473]

Is the halifax center library retyping job a scam?

[@AlecG]

what element in the job makes you believe it might be a scam?

[@hassanmehedi9903]

Should I ever c8 with any client on telegram by providing client’s id link on upwork message box?Or should I only c8 on message box.

[@AlecG]

What do you mean by c8?

[@namjoonslostpassport8749]

@@AlecG I think they mean chat

[@fighterpilot1017]

I flagged a very cheap Upwork job invite. $5 and 12 connects required. I reasoned out the client is a scam who doesn't want freelancers to earn charging exorbitant connect fee despite the low ball fee. I'm sure both upwork and client were annoyed😅😂

[@AieMem67]

I feel for you man and your wife nothing in life is rainbows and sunshine , I don't know if you've heard of Dave Ramsey but it's like this even though he is a Multimillionaire he is Grateful , Thankful , Happy but never shows of his wealth or gets surprised like showing off how much money he has

[@AlecG]

Hey Jorge, I appreciate your message. I love Dave Ramsey. I watch a lot of his content and I love the baby steps. I think he has a great attitude. If you ever need help or advice, dont hesitate to let me know. Id be glad to help

[@AieMem67]

@@AlecGthanks for the advice man and same no one is perfect and everyone will always make mistakes but when you take advice from a Multimillionaire who is sensitive , Generous it's better for you and pay cash for a vehicle

[@shahzamanshaikh8861]

I applied for many jobs and 3 clients replied me, they told me to write 200 pdf images to word, and they'll pay me 3400$. They are all unverified Plz tell me if to do the work or not, I don't want my hours to go in vain

[@AlecG]

I really dont know how its going to turn out. They might be scammers but they also might not be, if you feel the potential profit is worth the risk, accept the job. If not, refuse. But its definitely a risk.

[@anabarrios4696]

I was in the same position and they were offering me 3,000. It seemed super strange to me when they asked me for a video of me working , for them to send it to the "company". I ended up leaving work, I didn't feel comfortable

[@biIlionaire30]

I just saw a job on upwork and exuded to take it, I was directed to utube by the client (but first I had to chat him on telegram) and as I was watching his video I saw yours and something told me to click on it... I did and now my guards are up...thanks bro..

[@karlenaluz3298]

How do you deal with a client who used to be your client but did not pay at first until he was pressed/forced due to your comments on his videos about not having paid and relations turned sour, now he comes back 3 months later with a contract but outside of upwork and the terms of the contract had 100K euros penalty for breach of confidentiality and 50k euros for non-compete clause and 10k euros for late work when you are only getting paid 15 usd per hour? The client already had his upwork account on hold for failure to pay other freelancers. But is now harassing by email. Thoughts?

[@AlecG]

3 months later is too early to be allowed to work with them outside of upwork, if upwork catches you, you can end up having to pay a big fine of multiple thousands of dollars. Even if that was not the case, this client sounds too risky. I would focus instead on improving your upwork proposals, your profile and your portfolio and safely build your career on Upwork

[@karlenaluz3298]

Thank you for the advice! Thiss was super helpful

[@thomasslone1964]

if they pay me part of it upfront can I just spend all day counter scamming them for the money

[@AlecG]

They often pay upfront with fake checks that register correctly in your bank account for the first couple of days, but a week or so later the money they sent you goes away from your account, after all, it was a fake check. Be careful about that. And maybe reconsider the idea of counter scamming them, I don't think it's any more ethical than them trying to scam you in the first place.

[@YannMetalhead]

Good video.

[@gabrielafernandez9538]

I've had people want to pay me in advance to buy equipment and send me a check? I find this fishy but I'm just not sure if this has happened to others before.

[@AlecG]

Yeah, thats very fishy. I assume this is against upwork terms of service too.

[@micaela8577]

What happened at the end ?

[@Zira_archives]

Yess this happening to me right now and I am starting to think it’s fishy😭 I was so excited 😭

[@albertoflores5599]

Yeah, it's a scam, be careful, check is fake!

[@constantine8963]

Upwork always sucked, suck and will suck because it is cheap labor and poor quality of clients. They also create fake job posts for freelancers to make them pay connects in order to bid on project. It is not a professional platform at all, please fellow freelancers stop using it in hopes another big player will take over that values design and transparency.

[@WellingtonDuarteCanal]

True. This platform itself is a big scam

[@noobgamer7034]

one more point, getting clients/work is not consistent. There might be some days when you do not have any work. So, I request everyone to raise their standard of pay rate.

[@AlecG]

good advice! upwork themselves tell us to increase our rates for this reason and for other benefits

[@rewardrabieth1309]

I paid 100usdt to the client in an exchange to 200usd the client gave me 200usd bonus and after few days the money was refunded, what is wrong?

[@AlecG]

I don't know, but that is very weird and I recommend contacting upwork support.

[@everstranger1133]

I also paid 100 USD but they're saying i have to pay more 250 USD and now how i get my 100 USD back 😢😢😢😢😢😢 Yesterday I paid 😢😢😢😢😢

[@poojarauniyar6612]

One has asked me upwork email and password...what's that ???

[@AlecG]

A scammer, definitely. Thats weird I never heard of anyone doing that. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@ritchelleco9234]

How about the security fee that the client asking for? It says it is paid by a freelancer.

[@AlecG]

Never heard of that. Sounds like a scam

[@ritchelleco9234]

@@AlecG thank you.

[@charitymaejoybinas6093]

I’m also experiencing it now. I really thought this will be my first job as a va not until he sends me the said “contract” where an employee should pay an assurance fee or security fee for $50. 🥲

[@osahonhope303]

I had a client like that recently, took me off Upwork to Telegram and demanded a security fee.

[@akashbiswas-kumar1617]

I currently am in talks with a client who is asking me to transfer security money. He took me off from upwork to telegram. I am confused whether it’s a scam or not because 1. The company is listed in UK stock exchange 2. The telegram ID is verified I emailed the company about whether they are aware of the upwork job position or not, but they have not replied. Idk what i should do.

[@lancescreepyreading]

I just got a message from someone telling me to contact their hr manager over email and the pay they offered was pretty decent at like $37 per hour. It seems like a scam so im hesitant on responding.

[@AlecG]

100% a scam. It's incredibly common for scammers to ask you specifically to contact an hr manager. It's almost a meme at this point. Don't click on any link they send. Don't reveal any personal information. The 37/hour is just to bait you. I'll make a new video on upwork scams where I expose all the worst and new scams, including this one. If you have any question about this topic don't hesitate to ask. But for now, just contact upwork and report it. Stop communicating with this client outside of upwork no matter what. Lastly, don't get discouraged. There are a lot of good jobs on upwork too.

[@keepgrindingkeepwinning9237]

@@AlecGI disagree bro I have not gotten one job off of SCAMWORK. I don’t know how you can say this dude. How r u possibly getting work on this crap site?????

[@etiennegebertpro1969]

They asked me a fee before the payement is this a scam?

[@AlecG]

Yeah probably

[@mohibquadri4053]

So True & Insightful ! Bro could u suggest some best books to read for online money making as consultant or in general engineer freelancer to get the clients in service based business working from home effectively..

[@AlecG]

I have 3 recommendations: Fanatical Prospecting, Traffic secrets & Effective Executive. All great books. Thanks for your encouragement Mohib, I appreciate it!

[@mohibquadri4053]

@@AlecG Thanks a Million 💚 for providing much needed valuable book 📕 suggestions 😊

[@keepgrindingkeepwinning9237]

Making money online is almost impossible today.

[@keepgrindingkeepwinning9237]

@@AlecGbro I have read books and books and trying to make money is to hard with how saturated the internet is. I’ve been trying for years and haven’t made over 300 dollars

[@m.c_amine]

I just got scammed, now i'm crying and watching. I translated a whole victor hugo book

[@Amelia-vl7lz]

How did you get scammed

[@uzairhussain6342]

There is a company director who wants me to write articles for the company. Name of the company is Alpha tech. And he interviewed me on telegram. And also demanding money for company premium card. Should I trust him or not.

[@AlecG]

No, unfortunately its a common scam. Don't pay for a company card.

[@ma1xx5]

I was so happy I found a job with a big company they wanted me to design 3 logos 1000$ per one (which already made me feel it's a scam) I asked for half the money before sending the file they said no, than I told myself you're gaining their trust they're a big company. I sent them the file they asked me to pay 100$ fee. I immediately knew it's a scam. Also they asked for my ID card number, phone number and Pic and I told them this is a scam I'm blocking you. I worked hard for 3 days I'm about to cry but Glad I didn't fell for it

[@everstranger1133]

But i did and i sent them 100 dollars and now they're saying i have to pay more 250 dollars and I'll get my money back with my payments i was fool and sent them 100 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@ma1xx5]

@@everstranger1133 I'm so sorry buddy 💔. Well it was a lesson for sure, I've never faced a scam before. Now I know to ask for half of the payment before sending the project, and NEVER send any personal information to ANYONE.

[@migueljerichoescobar2821]

​@mustafakhanbazai9692 what happen? Cause I did job and they asking me to pay 100 dollar to transfer the money

[@AlecG]

Miguel, thats a scam. Don't send them money.

[@Roykevs]

Like wise, they want me to send them $70, and I never send money, they tell me to send it in g cash and I wonder why g cash? And thought it was a scam

[@pavimona7923]

Client ask me to pay money for my id card in their company then only give their payment.there scam or not

[@AlecG]

Yes, its a scam

[@pavimona7923]

Thanks for your msg

[@nickynatro]

Scam

[@joeroganmaster]

God bless you.

[@uzairhussain6342]

How should I deal him. If he is a scammer

[@AlecG]

If you communicated with the client outside of upwork, you are not protected by upwork because communicating outside the platform is against their terms of service. Try to cancel the contract (if you have one on upwork) and contact upwork support if necessary. But if you paid for the card, I don't think you can get a refund

[@wardiito535]

There is one’s who ask for fee I can trust them ?

[@AlecG]

No, sorry thats probably a scam

[@premgaikwad7139]

After completing of project and getting approved, Client asking asking me first to pay processing fee of 200 USD $ to link my skrill account with their companys corporate payment portal system.what should i do. and after my request he is ready to assist me only 100$. What should I do?

[@AlecG]

dont pay them. its a common scam. and upwork warns people against such behavior. they should be the ones paying these fees.

[@harshapiumal5647]

thanks a lot man i just safe about you🤐

[@theteenagecalligraphist]

Got a job for translating a document of 36 pages climate change of 2020...I guess the person is a scammer...Can you help me out?

[@AlecG]

If it looks like a scam, I recommend contacting upwork support. They are way more qualified for this sort of situation

[@theteenagecalligraphist]

@@AlecG yeah thankyou

[@TheEslove]

​@@theteenagecalligraphist I got the same offer is that a scammer?

[@mobilephotostudio9226]

Hi I do this a couple days ago then come to payment, they ask me of 50$ for linking fee.

[@AlecG]

linking fee is definitely a scam. Sorry bro 😕

[@TheShiningSpace]

I was just scammed out of $385 by these up work scammers. Pay attention to this video y’all and stay safe out there.

[@drdycreations7895]

Upwork itself is a scam ...

[@edznyopagodna4168]

Someone scam me I do 200 picture and convert to word I work almost 10 hours then I didn't get any cent.

[@AlecG]

I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you can try to contact upwork support. I wish you the best

[@edznyopagodna4168]

@@AlecG I don't know if Upwork consider that because I work out of the site he give me a job on the telegram.

[@AlecG]

Yeah... unfortunately you are correct. If you accept the job outside upwork you will probably not get the money... I hope you can find good jobs soon

[@yourfavoritefood7186]

Upwork-15 group it’s fake or real

[@AlecG]

what is that? i found no information about it on google. I would recommend avoiding it just to be sure

[@arvierustom2480]

I got scam. I shared them my details specially my id . What should I do now?

[@SkywardSister]

Hi! I'm certainly not a veteran of Upwork by any means, but I've been on the receiving end of some work-related scams before too. I would say at the very least, keep track of your bank account if you provided info regarding that to ensure you notice if money is disappearing. Keep a record of what you sent and when as well.

[@patriceoduor961]

Client asked me to give my id and pay $100 to my Paypal account for activation

[@AlecG]

Probably a scam

[@ethancht229]

me watching tis cideo after being scammed

[@AlecG]

Yeah... I know. It f$^$^ sucks. What happened?

[@everstranger1133]

And me also 😢😢😢😢😢 i lose my 100 USD

[@everstranger1133]

And they're 3 people

[@surv2134]

Should've watched this first

[@Newwen123]

Hi me

[@pirds102010]

Ingenta ! Very bad tactic

[@PHILLIPSPHAM-dh9qo]

Upwork is a bot post scam.

[@AlecG]

what do you mean?

[@MathuriJayamaha]

[@sukami6118]

Clients are making me contact them on telegram and offering to submit my work on telegram…. Is that scam??.. And how do I do the work through up work only

[@AlecG]

Probably a scam. Tell them it is against upwork's terms of service and you cant use telegram. If they get angry, find better clients.

[@cricketlaunch2405]

My brother received message on telegram regarding project do they contact on telegram?

[@AlecG]

It's against upwork's terms of service if I remember correctly, it's definitely a red flag, but it's possible that it's not a scam.