Freelance Scams: Combat a Freelancer after being Baited

A freelance scam is not a injection or some medicine that has its effect as soon as a person comes in contact with a scam artist. A freelance scam actually takes some time to be pulled off, and there are many points during this that the scam artist can be forced to back off by the freelancer. Here are some of the red flags that you should keep in mind while interacting with a prospective freelance scam artist.

Not Replying for Reviews: Suppose if you are contracted by someone to give you a number of articles immediately, or within a definite, tight timeframe. If you come up with a part of the assignment and ask for a review, wouldn't you be worried if they do not reply to you at all? Well, you should be. And if they do not reply, or if they give you stock replies like "I will get back to you later", you may consider this to be a freelance scam that you being a baited for. 

Asking for too much rework (without saying it in the initial brief): While freelancing, the brief is the most important document that binds the freelancer and the client. Make sure that you go through the brief thoroughly and follow it to the T. After this, there may be some reason for which the client may need a rework or even add to the brief. But, make sure that you do not agree to the entire reworking of the project with disregard to the client brief. If the client asks for too many reworks on the brief without any talk about payment, you can consider yourself to be in a freelance scam.

Asking for too many Samples: As a freelancer, you might have a profile of your work on the Internet ready. Even if you do not, make sure that you make a profile that you can pass around to your prospective clients when they ask for samples and stuff. Of course, some clients may require tailor made samples, but make sure that the requirements are small enough so that the client cannot make any money out of them. As is it is,a sample is just a trailer of your work, not the entire movie, you see.