Most Common Fiverr Scams & How to Avoid Them
Scammers copy Fiverr’s look and language to trick freelancers and buyers. Learn the newest Fiverr scam scripts, the red flags, and exactly how to protect your account and money.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
About this scam type
Marketplace impersonation scams on Fiverr involve fraudsters posing as buyers, sellers, or even Fiverr itself. Their goal is to steal logins, personal information, or money through phishing, fake verification, refund abuse, and off platform job pitches. These scams often seem urgent or promise bigger opportunities to pressure users.
How scammers contact victims
Scams typically begin via Fiverr’s internal inbox, but move quickly into email or push victims to Telegram or WhatsApp chats. Off platform channels help scammers avoid detection and make it harder for Fiverr to intervene. Email is often used for phishing and fake payment notifications.
Who is most at risk
New or returning U.S. freelancers and small business buyers are at highest risk. Many are not familiar with Fiverr’s official policies and may believe messages from seemingly official sources. Students, military families, and career changers are also frequently targeted by work from home scams or aggressive job pitches.
Understanding the risk level
Risks are high and can include account takeover, identity theft from sharing ID images, loss of funds from off platform payments, malware infection, and reputational damage. Falling for these scams may also result in permanent loss of access to trusted buyer or seller accounts.
Most Common Fiverr Scams
How it works: You receive an email or message that appears to be from Fiverr, saying that a new order is on hold until you verify your identity. The link leads to a fake login page or requests for you to upload your ID or enter credit card details. Fiverr does not ask for ID verification by email.
Real Example (June 10, 2025)
Status: Verification Required — Order Temporarily On Hold… To avoid cancellation and keep your order active, please verify your ID now: [link]. Real Example (May 27, 2025)
Funds are frozen in escrow… Verify now. Red Flag Signs:
- • 24 hour deadline and threat of cancellation.
- • Link points to a non fiverr.com domain or a misspelling.
- • Requests ID over email or through a QR code or credit card 'verification.'
How it works: A scammer claims to be a recruiter and praises your profile, then asks you to contact a manager on Telegram or WhatsApp for faster hiring or higher pay. Off platform, they request fees, tools purchases, or personal data. This is never allowed under Fiverr rules and removes your protection.
Fiverr Help Center Example (2025)
I’m a recruiter… perfect for our freelance job… kindly reach our manager on Telegram (@name). Red Flag Signs:
- • Request to move to Telegram or WhatsApp before order begins.
- • Promise of higher pay if you leave Fiverr.
- • Request for email, phone, or payment details to 'process' the job.
How it works: You receive a phishing email claiming your funds are on hold or frozen in escrow until you click to verify. Real Fiverr payments clear inside your account dashboard, never through email links or urgent requests.
Red Flag Signs:
- • Email asks you to 'release' money by clicking a link. Funds never require email approval.
- • Sender domain is not @fiverr.com or help.fiverr.com and link does not go to fiverr.com.
How it works: A buyer accepts your work, then immediately sends cancellation requests, hoping to get both the work and a refund. Some will send multiple requests even after you decline, hoping to pressure you.
Real Example (Sept 27, 2024)
After canceling his request, the buyer sent me a new cancellation request… plan all along to make me do the work for free. Red Flag Signs:
- • Immediate cancellation request after delivery despite unlimited revisions.
- • Buyer avoids discussing specific revisions and repeats cancellation.
How it works: Scammers lure you with a promise of work from home jobs, then ask you to buy software, get certifications, or handle checks and send back money. These are red flags seen in classic job and fake check scams.
Red Flag Signs:
- • You are asked to pay to get the job.
- • You are sent a check and told to forward funds or buy gift cards.
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Top 5 Phrases Scammers Use
- 1 "Action required within 24 hours"
Tries to make you act quickly before thinking or checking.
- 2 "Funds are frozen in escrow"
Creates false worry about payment to pressure you.
- 3 "Verify your ID to avoid cancellation"
Uses threats of canceled orders to make you share personal details.
- 4 "Message our manager on Telegram/WhatsApp"
Pushes you off Fiverr where scams are easier.
- 5 "We need your email and card to process payment"
Requests information Fiverr does not require for jobs or payments.
Scam Warning Signs
- Links or QR codes not on fiverr.comScam links often take you to fraudulent login or ID pages.
- Requests for off platform communication or paymentReal users and jobs stay within Fiverr.
- Pressure deadlines and order cancellation threatsUrgency is used to make you act.
- Requests for ID or card by emailVerification never requires this outside Fiverr’s secure dashboard.
- Asked for upfront fees, gift cards, or cryptoJobs on Fiverr never need these payments.
Legitimate Communications
- Message in your Fiverr account from official staff onlyLook for verified 'official Fiverr employee' badges.
- No requests for email, QR, or card verificationVerifications happen inside your account flow only.
- Payment status only in your dashboard with 7-14 day clearingNever trust payment released by clicking email links.
- Fiverr requires all work and payment on the platformLeaving the platform removes your protection and is against policy.
How to Protect Yourself
Stay safer by following these actions when working or buying on Fiverr.
- 1. Keep all messages and payments on Fiverr
Never move conversations to Telegram, WhatsApp, or email. Use Fiverr’s built in tools and always report users who try to move you elsewhere.
Use Fiverr’s built in video call so discovery calls stay documented on platform.
- 2. Verify important notices inside your account only
If you get a message about verification or an order on hold, log into Fiverr directly and check your dashboard. Do not trust email links for verification.
- 3. Carefully inspect all links before clicking
Hover over links to check the real address. Ignore links to unfamiliar or misspelled domains and never use link shorteners to log in.
- 4. Turn on two factor authentication and update security questions
Add this extra security to make it much harder for scammers to get into your account.
- 5. Report suspicious messages within 24 hours
Use Mark as Spam or Report to alert Fiverr quickly, which also helps protect your metrics.
- 6. Never pay for job leads, software, or verification
Real jobs never require any payment from you to get started.
- 7. Do not open attachments from unknown buyers
Only open files from trusted users. If you need to open an unknown file, scan it with antivirus first.
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What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you suspect a Fiverr scam or have already shared information, take these steps right away to reduce harm and start your recovery.
- 1. Stop contact and save all evidence (Do immediately)
Stop chatting with the scammer. Take screenshots of all messages, email headers, and links. Then report the user or message inside Fiverr.
- 2. Reset your Fiverr password and enable two factor authentication (Do immediately)
Change your password, log out of other devices, and enable two factor authentication to lock out the scammer.
- 3. Scan your computer for viruses and update your device (Do immediately)
If you clicked a suspicious link or opened a file, run a full antivirus scan and update your device immediately.
- 4. Dispute any off platform payments with your bank or PayPal (Within 24 hours)
If you sent money using your card or bank, contact them to dispute the charge and provide your evidence. Ask about reversing the transaction.
- 5. Place a free fraud alert or credit freeze (Within 24 hours)
If you shared your Social Security Number or ID, contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a fraud alert or freeze and monitor your credit.
- 6. Report the scam to the FTC and FBI (Within 24 hours)
Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3.gov if you lost money, and submit your case. Also report the scam inside Fiverr.
- 7. Watch for new login or payout notifications
Monitor your Fiverr notifications and confirm your payout methods are correct. Review your account's earnings status regularly.
- 8. Educate your family about impersonation scams
Share scam awareness with students, older relatives, and others in your household so they can recognize impersonation and work from home frauds.
File identity theft recovery plans at IdentityTheft.gov for stolen ID. For emotional support, visit the National Elder Fraud Hotline or contact the FBI's IC3 for further action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiverr will not ask you to verify identity by email. Always start verification inside your account, and never use a QR code or enter card details for verification.
No. All communication and payments must stay on Fiverr. Moving off platform removes your protections and puts your account at risk.
No. Payments clear inside your Earnings dashboard after delivery and a waiting period. Never click email links for payment release.
Keep all communication on the order page and offer revisions as described in your gig. If the abuse continues, contact Fiverr Support. Do not send refunds off platform.
Recruiters pushing you to Telegram or WhatsApp, fake order on hold notices, and requests for your email or card to 'process payment' are common scam scripts.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to IC3.gov if money was lost. Also report the scam inside Fiverr to alert Trust and Safety.
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Monitor your credit and create a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
Use the Help & Support Center's Contact us button, available at all hours. Report suspicious users using Fiverr’s built in tools.
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