| Here are some tips. | | | | to you. A safer way to go about this is to |
| | | | use PayPal.This way, the employer doesn't |
| 1. Don't blindly give away your work. Many | | | | have access to your bank accountdirectly. |
| freelance scamartists will ask for unpaid | | | | |
| work samples. For freelance writers,they'll | | | | 3. Get everything in writing. If a client |
| sometimes ask for a "trial article" from all | | | | doesn't offer you acontract, you should use |
| applicants todetermine the best writer to | | | | your own contract or a letter of agreement. |
| hire. However, most of these scammersaren't | | | | Ifsomeone is not planning to pay you or is |
| actually ever planning to hire a writer. What | | | | otherwise trying to scam you,they will be |
| they do is takeall the free articles and use | | | | less likely to do so if you have the terms |
| them on their own websites or resell | | | | spelled out ina legally binding document. It |
| themillegally. As the original author, you | | | | is common practice in freelancing to askfor |
| won't get credit for your workor ever get | | | | partial payment in advance, especially for |
| paid for the articles. If someone asks for a | | | | new clients. So, if youhaven't worked with a |
| writingsample, send them a link to something | | | | client before, and you are contracted to do |
| you've already written that hasbeen | | | | alarge amount of work, it is wise to secure |
| previously published on a client's website. | | | | at least one third of yourpayment up front. |
| This way, if theperson requesting the writing | | | | If the client is legitimate and can afford to |
| samples is running a scam, they'll beless apt | | | | pay youafter you complete the work, they |
| to steal work that has already been published | | | | shouldn't have a problem with payingyou a |
| elsewhere. | | | | portion in advance. If you're signing a |
| | | | client's contract, makesure the terms clearly |
| 2. Don't give away too much personal | | | | spell out when you will be paid. If the |
| information. Scam artiststrying to commit | | | | termsstate you will be "paid on publication" |
| social security number scams, identity fraud | | | | then make sure you know whenyour work will be |
| scams orother business scams will often | | | | published. Some scammers use a contract that |
| harvest social security numbers andbank | | | | statesthey will pay on publication, but they |
| account information by pretending they are a | | | | haven't even launched apublication yet. If |
| legitimate businessowner hiring for a job. | | | | the terms state you can't resell your work |
| They'll ask applicants for their | | | | untilafter the publication date, you are |
| socialsecurity numbers and say it's for a | | | | ultimately going to have to waituntil |
| background check, or say they needto have | | | | whatever time they may or may not decide to |
| this information on file for future tax | | | | actually publish yourwork. It may be in |
| purposes. If you workfor a single employer | | | | several months, or it may be never. |
| and earn more than $600 in one year, | | | | |
| employersare required to report your earnings | | | | Looking for legitimate freelance jobs?Check |
| to the IRS and will therefore needyour social | | | | the Go Freelance job boards for all types of |
| security number. However, there is no reason | | | | freelance work,ranging from freelance writing |
| someone whohasn't even hired you yet should | | | | jobs to graphic design jobs, web sitedesign |
| require your SSN. Similarly, don'tgive away | | | | projects to virtual assistant work. All jobs |
| your bank account information. Under no | | | | posted to GoFreelance are screened for |
| circumstances shouldanyone need your account | | | | legitimately before they go live on thesite, |
| numbers before they hire you. If they want | | | | so there is less chance of finding the |
| topay you by direct deposit after they've | | | | typical work at home scamsyou'll find on so |
| hired you and you've done thejob, that's up | | | | many other job boards. |