The world of online working is so big that there are 1.1 billion freelancers across the globe. This represents approximately 35% of the total global workforce, and these figures are increasing day by day. Especially during this time when most people are working from home. Many opportunities are emerging and no one wants to be left out. Companies are looking for more remote workers to do long-term and short-term tasks.

While this is a great thing many schemes and illegitimate activities are happening. Many scammers are taking advantage of freelance beginners who are not familiar with the way online working is done. People are losing lots of money. The techniques they use are so true that people invest their money there or take up tasks they will never be pad.

But, this shouldn’t scare you if you take the necessary precautions. This article all how to identify a scam project and the necessary precautions to take to avoid losing money. Remember, an informed online worker is a smear online worker.

Ways to Spot a Scam Scheme

Most of the online scams tend to be so convincing to be false, and that’s exactly what the perpetrators want you to think. They make it look so true. They will even hire people to give positive fake reviews about them e.g. pyramid schemes.

Here is are the quick ways to identify false online platforms.

Deals with many unrealistic Promises

Most scammers if not all will make it look like it all about you. They will look like the reason they existed is to make you rich. They will give many promises of the huge sums of money you will get working or investing with them. They will not give you a clear perspective of what their share will be. This is to make you trust them and invest with them or work for them.

Like they can promise to double or triple the amount of money you have. Even the largest companies in the world don’t make such huge profit margins. You should therefore avoid such schemes.

You will also like this: The measures to take when Making any online transactions

A company without a physical address

Another indicator of an online scam is if the company does not have a physical address and if they do it is not correct. Some can also use the correct address but it’s not associated with them. A legit company should at least have a physical address where you can find their offices. Otherwise, if you see one without it, then you need to be cautious to invest or make any contract with them.

“But, note that some individuals or companies can be having an actual physical address for their office but it’s either dormant or just a there to convince you.” In such a case you need to consider other factors.

Clients with Unclear mode of payment

For example, if you are a freelancer and you are about to be hired to write or do any other freelancing job, and the client does not disclose how they will be paying you. This should be a red flag. Always be sure to know the rates and how they will pay. Don’t feel like you are doing the wrong thing when you ask “How will you be paying me?” That should be the first question when they tell you what your work will be.

If they are not direct in answering you then think twice before you make a deal. The best way to deal with such situations is to ask for a deposit or upfront payment before you start on any project.

An unprofessional website domain name

This one is easy, you need to look at their domain name and check I it’s associated with their companies name. Also, check details on when the domain name was registered and for how long it’s been in use. If a company a domain name different from their name then something is not correct.

To go a step further, check their web site’s UI (User Interface) and be sure it professional. Online scammers will rarely invest in their website’s UI and will have very many dead links included in their website.

Unverified Certifications and affiliation with companies

You will find many companies claiming to be associated with the big companies in the field they specialize in. This is mainly done to make you trust the company. For example, a company may claim to be associated with Amazon, which will make you trust the company. But, the fact is anyone can associate themselves with any company.

Question the company and ask yourself if they claim to be related in what way that is and whether there is evidence of that. Most companies will always post on their website when they are in partnership with another company. Therefore visit their website and confirm or even contact the support team.

Takeaway

Most online scams or illegitimate clients will have many loopholes associated with their companies and businesses. This will hint to you something is not right. The above cases will help you to identify and avoid them. Moreover, always do prior research before committing to avoid losing money.