Hiring a freelancer used to mean finding a helping hand—not handing over your money to someone who vanishes like a ghost on deadline day.
In this publication, we're uncovering a growing scam that’s been tricking business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide—especially those looking for skilled help at a bargain. If you’re hiring online, this one’s for you.
Scammers are impersonating real freelancers, offering services at dirt-cheap prices—then disappearing with your deposit. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are being exploited by fraudsters using stolen photos, fake resumes, and too-good-to-be-true offers.
How It Works:
Here’s how the scam typically unfolds:
- Scammers create fake freelancer profiles using real professionals’ photos and bios.
- They offer services—like graphic design, copywriting, or software development—at rates far below market value.
- You pay a deposit (sometimes the full amount) upfront, thinking you scored a great deal.
- The scammer pretends to start the work, communicates briefly, then disappears.
- By the time you realize what’s happening, your money—and any trace of the scammer—is gone.
Who’s Targeted:
- Small business owners, solopreneurs, and startups looking to cut costs.
- Anyone hiring on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, or social media.
- Time-pressed professionals who need work done quickly and are more likely to skip background checks.
Real-Life Example:
According to a warning from the Better Business Bureau of Salt Lake City, scammers are routinely impersonating skilled freelancers by copying their identities and underbidding real professionals.
“You decide to hire them and pay a deposit upfront... but weeks pass, and the project still isn’t finished,” the BBB explained. “In fact, your freelancer stops responding to messages.”
That rockstar freelancer you hired? An impostor.
Why You Should Care:
This scam doesn’t just rob you of your hard-earned cash—it can set back projects, damage client relationships, and destroy trust in platforms meant to connect real talent.
Worse, real freelancers whose profiles are stolen may have their reputations tarnished without even knowing it.
Actionable Steps:
- Be skeptical of rates that seem too low. Check the average market rate for similar work and experience levels.
- Do a video call before hiring. Make sure the freelancer matches their photo and can speak knowledgeably about the work.
- Search for the freelancer on LinkedIn or social media. Verify their identity and look for consistency in their online presence.
- Avoid large upfront payments. Use milestone-based payments and platforms that offer dispute resolution.
- Report impersonation. If you suspect a fake account, notify the platform immediately.
Quick Tips:
Did you know? Scammers often use AI-generated photos or stock images for fake profiles—look for unnatural or overly polished profile pictures.
Pro Tip: Real professionals won’t hesitate to do a short video intro call. If someone avoids it, that's a red flag.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- Freelancer Platform – An online marketplace where businesses or individuals can hire independent contractors for various services.
- Deposit – An upfront payment made to a freelancer as part of the agreement for work to be completed.
- Impersonation Scam – A fraud where someone pretends to be another person, often using stolen photos or credentials.
- Upwork/Fiverr – Popular online platforms that connect freelancers with clients looking for professional services.
- BBB (Better Business Bureau) – A nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust by investigating and reporting on business practices.
- AI-Generated Images – Photos created or altered by artificial intelligence, often used to create fake identities online.
- Milestone Payments – Payment method where money is released in stages after partial work is delivered, reducing risk of total loss.
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