Remote work is freedom. But it also comes with risks. Anyone who works online sooner or later encounters attempts at deception: someone scams you out of money, someone asks for payment for “training,” and someone disappears after a free test assignment.
To avoid this, keep checklist of real schemes and methods of protection, time-tested.
🎭 Typical scammers' schemes
1. Paid "pre-job training"
"We need employees! Just 10$ - and you will undergo express training, receive a certificate and access to tasks!"
📌 What it actually is:
You pay and disappear into a black hole. No work, no feedback.
2. Free test tasks
"Make a logo/setting/text - let's see if you are right for us"
📌 What it actually is:
You do the work, it gets used, and you get blocked or "forgotten." Often the task is complete and clearly looks like a paid task.
3. Entering captcha and "easy" money without experience
"You don't have to do anything - just press buttons and get 50$ per day!"
📌 What it actually is:
Either you will be asked to "make a deposit" or forced to invite others. The outcome is the same: either a "financial pyramid" or simply a waste of time.
4. Fake freelance exchange sites
They look like well-known sites, but the address differs by one letter: workzila.ru instead of workzilla.ru
📌 What it actually is:
They collect logins/passwords or ask for payment for "entry". You are either scammed or your data is stolen.
🧠 How to understand that they want to deceive you - 5 signs
- Too good conditions
They promise 800-1000$ per week, no experience, no skills? Stop. This is not a vacancy, but a bait. - They ask for money before starting work
Access, rate, guarantee, insurance - it doesn't matter what you call it. Work = you get paid, not vice versa. - There are no official communication channels.
Only Telegram, no website, no name or legal entity? Big risk. - The "employer" is in a hurry or is pressuring
"Pay quickly", "don't delay", "only 5 seats" - create the illusion of urgency. This is manipulation. - Strange logic and grammar
Errors in the text, general formulations and ridiculous tasks are an alarm bell.
🛡️ How to protect yourself
✅ Work through exchanges with a secure transaction
Such as:
- FL.ru
- Freelancehunt
- Kwork
- Upwork
They protect both parties and the money is “frozen” until execution.
✅ Always check the customer
- Based on reviews and ratings.
- By searching email/Telegram in databases such as StopFraud.
- Ask for a link to a website or portfolio.
✅ Don't work for free
1-2 paragraphs of text? Yes. A full article, landing page, logo? Just after payment or through the exchange.
✅ Sign the contract
Even a simple Google doc with names and a description of the task is already +1 to security.
✅ Be in the community
Subscribe to chats and groups where scammers and stories are shared:
- Telegram: “Freelance Blacklist”, “Remote Work: Beware!”
- Channels with revelations and cases.
🧭 What to do if you have already been deceived
- Block the contact
Don't fall for any further persuasion. - Report to chats and groups
To warn others. - Check if your data has been leaked
Especially if you indicated email, passwords, cards. - Complaint about the platform (if you worked through it)
Real chance to get your money back if it was a safe transaction.
✅ A short checklist before starting work:
- Does the customer have a website, reviews, portfolio?
- Payment - after the result or through the exchange?
- Is the task adequate and small?
- Contact is not just a Telegram username?
- Is everything clear about the task and conditions?
📝 Conclusion
There are many scammers on the Internet. But there are no fewer ways to protect yourself. The simplest and most important principle:
Work is when you get paid. Not the other way around.
Be careful, take screenshots, save correspondence, take your time - and freelancing will bring you not stress, but income and pleasure.those correspondence, take your time - and freelancing will bring you not stress, but income and pleasure.
Author: Alex
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