Most Common Upwork Scams & How to Avoid Them
Fraudsters target Upwork users with off-platform interviews, fake reimbursements, and phishing. Learn the latest red flags, how to protect your money, and what to do if you were hit.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
About this scam type
Upwork scam tactics involve impersonating clients or Upwork staff to trick users into leaving the platform, paying bogus fees, or sharing sensitive information. These scams often include requests for money transfers, fake account suspensions, and fraudulent job offers. They are effective because scammers mimic real hiring processes and exploit trust in Upwork's brand.
How scammers contact victims
Scammers reach targets through Upwork Messages, then attempt to move conversations to Telegram, WhatsApp, or personal email. Phishing emails spoof Upwork domains to steal credentials. The use of external platforms or unofficial emails is a key strategy for avoiding detection and stripping away Upwork’s security protections.
Who is most at risk
While anyone can be targeted, those new to Upwork, including freelancers, students, older adults, and workers seeking flexible remote jobs, are especially at risk. Limited familiarity with the platform and an urgent need for income make these groups more vulnerable to manipulation.
Understanding the risk level
The financial and personal risks are severe. Victims may lose hundreds or thousands of dollars through fake checks, direct payment scams, or crypto frauds. Identity theft is common if personal data is shared with scammers. Recovery can be difficult, and incidents can cause lasting financial harm.
Most Common Upwork Scams
How it works: Scammers posing as clients invite you to continue your interview on Telegram or WhatsApp, then ask for an 'onboarding' fee or your payment details. Moving off Upwork removes essential protections for both payment and dispute resolution, making it easier for fraudsters to disappear after taking your money or data.
Hi, HR liked your profile. Message @Acme_HR on Telegram to proceed with the interview. There is a refundable 50 dollar onboarding fee to secure your slot. Red Flag Signs:
- • Request to move to external apps before a contract
- • Request for fees to apply or interview
- • Unverified payment method
- • Vague job description
- • Pressure to act quickly
How it works: A scammer claims you should purchase software or equipment with your own money, promising reimbursement or bonuses. They may mail a check or send an overpayment, then ask you to return the difference. The payment bounces, leaving you with a loss.
Buy a MacBook using your card, we will reimburse 1500 for a 1000 purchase. We mailed an 800 check for a 500 project, please Zelle back the extra 300. Red Flag Signs:
- • Promises to reimburse more than you spend
- • Mailed checks with requests to return excess funds
- • Requests to use Zelle, gift cards, or crypto
- • Instructions to start work before a funded milestone
How it works: You receive an email or message saying your Upwork account will be suspended unless you verify information or click a link. The link leads to a fake Upwork login page designed to steal your credentials.
Your Upwork account is at risk of suspension, verify now: upvvork.com/security Trust & Safety needs your password to confirm your identity. Red Flag Signs:
- • Non-@upwork.com sender
- • Urgent account suspension threats
- • Link shorteners or lookalike domains
- • Requests for your password or bank details
How it works: Fraudsters may offer money to rent or buy your verified Upwork account. They use these accounts to evade bans and commit further fraud, putting your reputation and future income at risk.
Earn 500 a month by letting us use your Upwork profile. Share login and we will split earnings. Red Flag Signs:
- • Requests for your login credentials
- • Offers to pay for access to your account
- • Communication outside Upwork
- • Evasive about who they are
How it works: Scammers ask you to deposit money via gift card or crypto to 'unlock tasks' and claim you will earn high returns. Fake dashboards show unwithdrawable earnings. Victims lose all funds sent to these scammers.
Deposit 200 USDT to activate tasks and start earning 100 daily. Send codes from two 200 dollar gift cards for verification. Red Flag Signs:
- • Paying to unlock tasks or get paid
- • Vague 'optimization' or 'activation' requirements
- • Crypto-only payments
- • Unsolicited task offers
How it works: You are offered a job to receive, repackage, and forward goods purchased with stolen credit cards. This is illegal and can make you a money mule without your knowledge.
Accept shipments at your address, re-box, and forward. Easy 300 per week. Red Flag Signs:
- • Asked to receive and reship packages
- • Shipping labels not in your name
- • Refusal to use Upwork contracts or payment protections
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Top 5 Phrases Scammers Use
- 1 "Move to Telegram or WhatsApp for the interview."
Gets you away from Upwork’s secure messaging, removing protections.
- 2 "Refundable onboarding fee required to proceed."
Legitimate jobs and clients never require fees to apply, interview, or start work.
- 3 "We overpaid, send the difference back by Zelle or crypto."
Classic overpayment scam. The payment is fake and you will lose any money sent back.
- 4 "Your Upwork account will be suspended unless you verify now."
Urgency creates panic and prompts you to provide login details to a fake website.
- 5 "Rent your Upwork account and earn passive income."
Account sharing is banned and leaves you responsible for actions tied to your account.
Scam Warning Signs
- Requests to move communication off UpworkScammers want to sidestep Upwork’s security and monitoring to defraud you.
- Requests for application, onboarding or verification feesLegitimate clients never ask freelancers or jobseekers to pay fees upfront.
- Unverified payment methods or vague job detailsMakes it harder to check client legitimacy; scammers avoid specifics.
- Pressure to share account credentialsNo real client or support staff needs your login info.
- Urgency or threats to act quicklyPanic is used to bypass your caution.
Legitimate Communications
- All messages remain inside UpworkUpwork keeps a record and has tools to protect you if something goes wrong.
- Funded milestones for fixed-price jobsFunds are placed in escrow before you are asked to start work.
- Verified client payment methodUpwork displays a badge showing clients with confirmed billing information.
- No request for fees to applyApplying, interviewing, or working does not require you to pay any fees.
- Emails only from @upwork.com or @cloud.upwork.comCheck the sender’s exact address before clicking links or replying.
- No request for passwords or banking detailsUpwork and real clients never need your login or full account information.
How to Protect Yourself
Protect your account, finances, and personal information with these proven steps. Share them with older family members and caregivers to prevent costly mistakes.
- 1. Keep all chats and payments on Upwork
Always use Upwork’s messaging and payment system for interviews, contracts, and job discussion. This preserves protection policies and provides a clear record for disputes.
Never share telegram, WhatsApp, or email details before a contract is in place.
- 2. Require funded milestones before starting
For fixed-price jobs, begin work only when a milestone is fully funded in escrow. Walk away if a client resists.
- 3. Use the Upwork Desktop App for hourly work
Track your time, add memos, and make sure everything is logged within the app for Hourly Payment Protection eligibility.
- 4. Strengthen account security
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and use a strong, unique password. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unexpected messages.
- 5. Double-check client legitimacy
Look for verified payment status, realistic budgets, previous hires, and complete job descriptions. Be especially careful with new clients.
- 6. Never pay to apply, interview, or unlock tasks
Ignore requests for onboarding fees, gift card purchases, crypto deposits, or processing checks. These are scam tactics.
If someone insists on a fee, stop all contact and report them.
- 7. Flag and report suspicious activity
Use the Flag or Report options in Upwork to alert Trust & Safety about suspicious posts and messages. Report losses to federal agencies if necessary.
Stay ahead of scammers with Lifeguard’s real-time fraud alerts and dark web monitoring.
What to Do If You're a Victim
Take these steps quickly to reduce losses, recover your money, and protect your identity. Reach out for support and remember, you are not alone.
- 1. Stop contact and save evidence (Do immediately)
Immediately cease all communication with the scammer. Take screenshots of messages, save job post links, email headers, and collect transaction IDs.
- 2. Secure your accounts (Do immediately)
Change your Upwork password, turn on 2FA, and follow Upwork’s compromised account instructions to lock out intruders.
- 3. If you sent money, act fast (Do immediately)
Contact your bank or card issuer to try to reverse the charge. For gift cards, call the card issuer. For crypto, save transaction hashes and notify law enforcement.
- 4. Report to Upwork (Within 24 hours)
Use Upwork’s Flag or Report features or contact Support with evidence, dates, and details. Going forward, keep all communication in the platform.
- 5. File reports with the FTC and FBI IC3 (Within 24 hours)
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. This is crucial for fake job, check, or crypto scams.
- 6. If you deposited a check, contact your bank
Alert your bank about the situation, monitor your balance, and never spend check funds until your bank confirms the deposit has completely cleared.
- 7. Beware of follow-up scams
Do not trust anyone claiming to be from IC3 or law enforcement asking for money to recover your losses. IC3 does not contact victims to recover funds.
Find Upwork’s recovery resources: Upwork Support Center. You can also connect to IdentityTheft.gov for step-by-step guidance on identity recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Requests to move off Upwork or to pay to get a job are red flags and violate Upwork policy. Keep messages and payments on-platform.
Verify the sender is @upwork.com or @cloud.upwork.com. Watch for typos in links. When unsure, contact Support without using the suspicious link.
Upwork offers Hourly Payment Protection for properly tracked time and Fixed-Price Protection for funded milestones. Follow the criteria to be eligible.
Stop paying, collect evidence, report to Upwork, then file with the FTC and FBI IC3. Ask your bank or card issuer about chargebacks or reversals.
No. Fake checks can appear to clear, then bounce. You will owe the bank. Never send money back from a check.
No. Account sharing or leasing violates Upwork’s rules and can lead to permanent loss of access and legal risk.
Use Flag as inappropriate on job posts or Report message in Messages. Upwork Trust & Safety reviews reports confidentially.
No. IC3 warns of work-from-home task scams that demand crypto deposits to unlock tasks, with fake dashboards showing earnings.
Upwork offers an opt-in instant interview feature inside the platform. No external app, no fee. If someone pushes Telegram, decline and report.
Follow Upwork’s compromised account guidance, change your password, enable 2FA, and contact Support. Do not respond to suspicious emails.
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