Major Red Flags
- They Ask for Money: “Pay $50 for ID verification.” Run.
- Unprofessional Communication: Using WhatsApp or Telegram for the initial interview.
- Too Good to Be True: Offering $5,000/month for simple data entry.
Protect Yourself
If a client insists on communicating outside the freelance platform (like Upwork) before a contract is signed, that’s a massive red flag.
Always research the company on LinkedIn. If they don’t have a digital footprint, tread very carefully. Your time is too valuable to waste on scammers.