The boom in paid online writing jobs has opened new avenues for fraudsters targeting unsuspecting writers. Many have been scammed and many more will be frauded in the future. The good news is that it is possible to avoid fraudsters and scammers in online writing.
Read on to discover 10 strategies to avoid scammers and fraudsters in online writing. I’ve been safe in my entire freelance career with these methods.
1. Deliver value
As an online academic writer, my first and most crucial principle is justice. If you don’t want to be scammed, start by providing top-notch writing solutions.
Learn that genuine employers pay for quality writing work only. But how do you deliver a quality paper?
It begins with having the right skills. I always tell newbies to focus on growing their writing skills first. Only accept papers you’re capable of handling based on your current skills.
Remember it is the skill that will earn you the money you desire. If the quality of your work is outstanding, even the worst scammer may reconsider your case.
2. Do due diligence
90% of internet cons succeed because the victims fail to do their due diligence. If you want to avoid fraudsters and scammers in online writing, do a background check.
Do what is called client vetting.
3. Be Aware of T&Cs
Legin clients have clear terms or contractual agreements. Having Ts & Cs can go a long way in guiding your work relationship.
The terms may be written or unwritten, but generally revolve around issues to do with time and mode of payment, task delivery, and work quality.
When served with T&Cs, adopt the evaluative approach. Paying attention to every detail allows you to understand what you’re getting into.
4. Request a live call
I prefer scheduling a phone or video call with a potential.
A few minutes of a phone call allows me to listen to and analyze the tone of the person on the other side. It also helps you to discover the client’s approach to work and commitment to ethics.
Unrealistic promises are usually a sign of a fraudulent scheme.
5. Stick to your work policy
Never accept to work at the mercy of the client. You’re investing your money and energy into the job. So, why play desperate and gullible?
Instead, define your work policies and stick to them. Make your payment terms known to the client. This will inform potential clients about your pay rates and timing.
I’ve learned most scammers and fraudsters in online writing will fake anger when they notice you’ve set boundaries.
On the contrary, clients are going to take you for a joke if you allow yourself to work at their mercies. Determine which
6. Listen to your instincts
Every human being is born with some degree of instinct. Think about instinct as your inborn impulses that help you to survive.
I don’t remember how many times my gut instinct warned me against a deal that seemed too sweet to ignore. I eventually got scammed because I did not trust my biological ability.
That’s how it happens to almost everyone.
If something seems too good to be true, trust your instinct. Begin to ask questions if you feel strong doubts coming from your instincts.
Doubting your instinct? Bring someone else into the conversation to help you evaluate the deal.
7. It’s NOT urgent
“It’s urgent. Only you can help.”
Those are the favorite lines for internet scammers and fraudsters. Online writing is not different.
Fraudulent clients often claim the offer is urgent. You’ll see group posts like this:
Social work, 3 pages, due in 1 half hour
Facebook post
Many of such deals are posts by scammers and fraudsters. Why the rush?
Scammers love to present their projects as “urgent.” They want you to focus on the urgency part and forget to check the poster’s authenticity.
Listen. Exercise caution when accepting rushed projects. I only take urgent projects from clients I’ve worked with before.
8. Get paid upfront
Requesting a deposit payment is a working method to avoid fraudsters and scammers in online writing.
I use the two approaches below to request partial payment.
For short projects, I would complete the task and share screenshots with the client. The photos I share include parts of the introduction and conclusion.
Grammarly and plagiarism scores are must-show evidence of the completed paper.
I would then invoice for full payment.
Alternatively, I would demand a deposit payment, usually 30% of the deal. This works for big projects, which I also rarely accept.
A deposit lowers the risk of non-payment. As a copywriter, you can avoid doing too much unpaid work with advanced partial payment.
9. Work with referrals
Working with referrals is a good way to avoid fraudsters and scammers in online writing.
Seek recommendations from reliable writers. Word-of-mouth referrals can provide valuable insights and help you connect with trustworthy opportunities.
10. Stay Informed
Socialize and educate yourself about popular cons and common scams to avoid fraudsters and scammers targeting freelance writers.
How do you stay informed?
Engage with reputable writing communities and forums to gather insights and share experiences. Staying connected to the right group of people expands your network.
Group memberships keep you updated with news, online forums, and valuable online writing resources.
Conclusion
Having been a paid online writer for 8+ years, scamming and fraud schemes are nothing new to me. Fraudsters and scammers are all around us. It is us to do what we should to evade bad guys.
