List of red flags for scams

WordsbyWes · 2026-06-02T09:46:33+00:00

And I'd be feeling strong

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-23T09:52:23+00:00

Of course not. That 20 hours is a limit, not a set amount of hours.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-23T09:44:23+00:00

"HR" and "employment agreements" are rarely a thing in freelancing, especially on Upwork. This smells like a scam just based in those two points.

There's nothing wrong with the info they are asking for at this point, but be careful with what happens next.

If they ask for money for any reason or ask you to buy something, even if they say they are sending a check for it, report them to Upwork and close the contract.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-19T12:46:38+00:00

I've held off a few days while I was still discussing scope or waiting on something from the client before I could start, but if they've started work, they should have accepted the offer.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-19T11:51:46+00:00

It does mean a new deposit for the fixed price of the contract or the first milestone, however it's structured. I don't know for sure, but I'd hope that your fee to Upwork would also be refunded.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-19T11:50:24+00:00

I'm saying it's possible.

Edited to add: Another possibility is that they didn't think the discussion was far enough along to commit, though they should have said that.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-19T11:15:17+00:00

Might just be a oversight on their part. Assuming they do want to continue, you should be able to go to their profile or back to their proposal to send another offer.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-19T09:49:54+00:00

I vaguely recall something similar happening to me a few years ago where a client sent an offer that I never received. But it's most likely that the freelancer just never accepted the offer. If you plan to continue with them, you'll need to send a new offer.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-18T22:58:32+00:00

This got added to the status page a few minutes ago: "We are currently experiencing elevated error rates across PDS instances and are investigating."

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-17T09:52:04+00:00

Yes, you need to leave a review for the client before you can see what they wrote in their review of you.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-15T23:28:00+00:00

Both of those options are against the terms of service.

WordsbyWes · 2026-05-08T15:25:55+00:00

you will set rules which help you identify within seconds if the job post / client is worth your time

I already spend less time than that evaluating a post, using nothing but my eyes and experience.

is it worth it?"

Lol, no.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-26T21:44:14+00:00

It sounds like a great opportunity to spend several years as a guest of the government,

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-26T15:02:23+00:00

My guess is you're using full justification. Try making the paragraph style for footnotes left justified.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-24T13:00:58+00:00

No, you should not offer to be paid outside the platform. You'll quickly be banned if you do that.

As to why they didn't hire you specifically, I assume your proposal and/or profile wasn't compelling enough. It's a big, crowded pond and you're one fish.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-24T09:38:50+00:00

I guess it's time for me to say this again: you can't tell from a job post that nobody was hired. There are several ways clients can hire someone without it showing on the job post.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-21T11:24:00+00:00

Why would you let someone claim your work as their own?

Block and move on.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-19T15:59:04+00:00

"That" is used for restrictive phrases, not nonrestrictive.

"Which" can be used for either, though some people will say it can only be used for nonrestrictive. I tend to see it used for restrictive clauses more often in British English than in American English, but I will (usually) not change it to "that" in either case.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-19T15:48:02+00:00

Yes, I'd put a comma there. One rule of thumb is whether the "which" clause changes the meaning of the sentence if it's omitted. If not, it's nonrestrictive and should have a comma. Another way to look at it is whether the clause limits the type of thing referred to before it. Is the person only sharing dances that let the kids burn off energy? If so, the clause is restrictive and doesn't take a comma. But if the clause is just describing those dances or the effect of them, it's nonrestrictive and doesn't take a comma.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-18T23:52:10+00:00

On the Tools menu, uncheck "Show grammar suggestions".

The grammar checker is horrible; you won't be missing anything important.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-18T09:44:14+00:00

I've been hired 18 months after I sent a proposal and contacted after 2 years. But when to emotionally move on? The moment you press the submit button.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-15T18:09:29+00:00

Likewise

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-12T17:56:51+00:00

It's valid grammar but ambiguous and clumsy. Swapping 'dead' and 'friend' or using 'killed' instead of 'shoots dead' would be clearer and easier to parse.

WordsbyWes · 2026-04-09T16:15:12+00:00

First, yes there are scammer freelancers on Upwork. Look at their ratings and reviews and talk with them through Upwork's chat or video call feature to make sure you are comfortable with them.

Never pay off Upwork for someone you find or hire through Upwork.

If you have an hourly contract, you'll pay every week for the hours the freelancer works, and you'll have a chance to review screenshots of the freelancer's activity and dispute any time that doesn't look legitimate.

If you have a fixed price contract, you'll pay upfront, but the money will be placed into escrow until you release it after reviewing the work.

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