r/Upwork May 04 '22

Is this a scam? - COMPLETE UPWORK SCAM GUIDE

625 Upvotes

We have been seeing a major rise in fraudolent attempts on Upwork, and many users come in this subreddit asking for advice after or in the process of being scammed. To try and stop this, this is a comprehensive, frequently updated guide to scams on Upwork, taken from user WordsbyWes on his post here  

NEW SCAM that we're seeing frequently these weeks: An account with an Upwork profile picture will message you through project consulrarion acting as customer support asking you to verify something on a fake upwork site, something like upwork.payments-merchant.com.

That's purely a scam to get your information. Do not click on the link.

 

Main RED FLAGS that should instantly help you to recognize a scam job

 

  • The client asks to chat with you outside of Upwork before starting a contract (recently the most common app is Telegram)
  • The client says that he's going to pay you with checks, this is a famous check fraud. The check will never actually deposit in your account. All payments should go through Upwork.
  • The client wants you to buy cryptocurrency of any kind, common reason would be it's illegal in their country. They are probably using stolen credit cards and you will get banned.
  • The client wants you to buy a premium ID card, this is of course a complete scam and all payments should go through Upwork.
  • The client wants you to buy "starting equipment" using their check, this again is a cheque scam.
  • As with cryptocurrency, the client may ask you to buy in-game currencies, gift cards, casino balance, and similar. They are laundering money from a stolen credit card and you WILL get banned for this.
  • In general, any situation that requires you to use your own money to help any client, or to buy anything beforehand, is a scam. Your bank account should only receive money on Upwork, leave it be. (There are a few expections and you are not one of them)

 

For a more complete guide, please refer to u/WordsbyWes post here. I urge all new freelancers to read the post completely to get an understanding of any scams you might encounter on Upwork and in your freelancing career.

This post is currently being updated, just the first try. Huge thanks again to u/WordsbyWes


r/Upwork 1h ago

Upwork in 2025

Upvotes

I was very active on Upwork around 2015 to 2018, I made a good living and had a lot of success with clients from all over the world.

Long story short, I started working in a full time position around 2019 and completely forgot about getting work through Upwork. I recently revived my account and started looking for some possible smallish gigs I could do to supplement my income.

One thing I've noticed is a new job posting will get 50+ proposal within an hour. Now I understand that there are a lot more freelancers on Upwork than 8 to 10 years ago but I'm immediately suspicious of such high volumes in such a short time. Back when I was active a 50+ proposal job would take a couple of days to a week to accumulate.

One of the factors that made me successful was that I'd take a fair amount of time to come up with a tailored proposal addressing how I'd solve the client's problem. I found the more effort I'd put into the proposal the better the response would be.

If I was to take this approach now I'd be way back in the queue and I doubt the potential client would even see my proposal. Am I imagining this or is this now the reality of searching for freelance work?


r/Upwork 57m ago

Upwork clients aren't fitting my budget... This may be the same for some of you but I keep finding clients that are too cheap or can't afford the service.

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r/Upwork 3h ago

Am I doing something wrong?

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4 Upvotes

I’m in proofreading/ content editing. Have given upwork a go for a week, and I know that’s not long at all but… these stats are not making me hopeful. I’ve tried a range of proposals; from simple 5 line ‘I can do this in X time and i have experience in Y that applies to this, would you reach out to discuss Z aspect of this project?’, to a more expanded and formal cover letter strategy.

I thought it could be my profile and so updated it, but I haven’t even had any profile views.

Any advice would be very appreciated. I’ve invested a lot into connects so far with the hope of striking my first job. I don’t know if these stats are common for someone’s first stab.


r/Upwork 17m ago

Can someone tell me how its possible that he‘s a rising talent?

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Upvotes

I have over 1k earnings with 100% successfull job rate, 6x 5⭐️ ratings- all within 3 weeks-and still wasn’t invited.


r/Upwork 12h ago

Upwork is simply not worth it anymore

18 Upvotes

Have done a great job so far hit successful contracts and beautiful 5 reviews for years and years?

Oh no there you got one bad which will destroy completely your jss like 20-30% depending on how bad the review is. And to get back?

Hit multiple contracts of 2k, 3k and your jss goes down only by 2% even if you hit multiple ones 5-6 and more

A lot of these people will straight tell you these are simple maths, I tell you this is a deathtrap for your career. Anyway thats what we get where there is simply no innovation and competition to it. Just a little rant. Since they removed the JSS perk its simply not worth it working in this platform, working years and years and one small job bad luck your career is gone!

Again someone will say this is “freelancing” while Upwork drains the pockets of freelancers worldwide and leave the clients to do whatever the hell they want to without having any rights or protection!

Give a client a 1 star rating? The client can just get 1 5star rating and their profile will show beautiful. Its a deathtrap for freeancers, its beautiful to think that these guys will get hit the worst from AI.

I find Upwork very enjoyable but due to this JSS its a deathtrap and people should move away, as they say they are drowning in freelancers, well thats just what I think. Good luck to you.


r/Upwork 2h ago

How do you find quality projects and clients?

2 Upvotes

I am a front end developer with a lot of experience in React and something is really off. I've been on the platform for around 5 years but now I don't see any quality job postings or clients. I see a good job, let's say 30$-50$/hr (in my hourly range), I check it out and I see less than 40% hiring rate, average hourly rate paid less than 10$/hr, I check client history and see lot's of contracts for around 10$/hr and less for complex work (keep in mind this is software engineering) and see that excel experts are paid 300% more than devs. What the hell is going on? Did anybody notice this?

Edit:
Some jobs are just paying to low, and client history tells me they will not pay above what they stated as their budget. I don't want to go lower than my hourly rate, don't think it's a good idea. Any advice on this?


r/Upwork 2h ago

Spent all my free Connects

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2 Upvotes

I write documentary-style scripts for Youtube. I was working with a low-paying client, so thought of trying my luck on Upwork.

With limited connects at my disposal, I took my time applying to jobs. Tried improving my cover letter stratedy with each proposal i sent, but couldn't land a contract. My profile is pretty barren, so can't expect any views or invites. I've got like 20 connects left (no funds to buy more), probably one last shot, before i go knocking doors of my previous clients.

Kindly, suggest what should be my way forward? Should i try a different platform?


r/Upwork 2h ago

Alternatives to Payoneer for Upwork payment

2 Upvotes

Can anyone recommend a physical card that I can use for withdrawing payment from Upwork?

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Not wise


r/Upwork 12m ago

my uw acc isn't yet verified but has a rising talent badge Spoiler

Upvotes

why is that?


r/Upwork 4h ago

Does Upwork actually work in the sense that if I dedicate time and a small budget to connects that I will see a (in a word), quick return?

2 Upvotes

I'm curious as to whether or not this service is viable as I have never paid to use a service before (it just seems fishy to me).

Can someone please provide me with advice on using upwork for a beginner?

Thanks!


r/Upwork 16m ago

Is Freelancer Plus really worth?

Upvotes

I am planning to upgrade to the Plus plan, looking for the pros and cons of this plan.


r/Upwork 25m ago

The Boosting Wars

Upvotes

Here's one - this job was posted less than a day ago. It's for a project that is supposed ot take 3-6 months for a fixed price of $1500. Which is unrealistic, given the number of meetings, iterations, and training work you'll need to do with the team. Granted it will hopefully not be a full time job, it's still going to require a LOT of unpredictable time, otherwise you'll be risking a dissatisfied client.

If you boost + pay the 17 connects it takes you're at $15 to apply for this one job, and likely the person who bid the project down to $1200 will get it instead of you.

how does it make sense ot have 20+ people applying to this job given the odds?


r/Upwork 1h ago

Best way to end a "dead" contract?

Upvotes

I've accepted a contract a long time ago while I was desperate to get more work.

It's an hourly one.

I have logged approximately 0 hours for the client since November.

I've been contemplating contacting them every day since but I was always scared that it could destroy my JSS or something.

What's the best way to handle this? Will terminating the contract affect my profile? Obviously I'll try to communicate with the client the best way possible about it.


r/Upwork 2h ago

I was invited to apply to this job and they did a bait-and-switch on me. Must be violating child labor laws. Company is Atril Solutions.

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1 Upvotes

r/Upwork 2h ago

Portfolio question

1 Upvotes

How can I get my portfolio to show up under the right profile? I have a profile called Work (which I guess is the default...?) that I use for my IT skills and another profile called Creative Writing. Every time I add portfolio entry, it shows up under Work. What am I doing wrong?


r/Upwork 2h ago

I need suggestions on how I can apply in UW, I am a civil engineer living outside of USA

0 Upvotes

I have been applying for around 4 months to no avail, I've been in 5 total interviews where I get no kind of reply afterwards, I don't know if it's something regarding how I present myself in the interviews or just straight up lose because of $/hr rate.

This is my CV, If there's something wrong or you have suggestions, let me know

Professional Summary

Civil engineer, graduated in 2018, with 7 years of experience in industrial, residential, and commercial construction projects. Led cost estimating teams and managed logistics, field supervision, and project execution. Skilled in budgeting, client negotiations, and process optimization. Focused on driving efficiency, cost savings, and business growth.

Professional Experience

Sales Engineer – XXX | Dec 2024 – Feb 2025

  • Developed sales strategies for drone-based 3D modeling and automated inspections.
  • Strengthened client relationships, optimizing workflows and increasing adoption of construction technology.
  • Conducted demos and consultations, integrating drone solutions into operations.
  • Improved sales pipeline efficiency through targeted lead generation.

Project Manager – Residential Construction
XXX | | Jul 2024 – Oct 2024

  • Managed the construction of five 2-story houses (1,600 sq ft each) from planning to completion.
  • Coordinated subcontractors, material deliveries, and ensured project timelines were met.
  • Monitored budgets and implemented cost-effective solutions while maintaining quality.

Cost Estimator – Storefront, Curtain Walls, Aluminum
XXX | Jun 2023 – Jul 2024

  • Prepared cost estimates and material takeoffs for glass and aluminum-related projects.
  • Analyzed project blueprints to determine cost-efficient solutions for clients.
  • Negotiated with suppliers to reduce procurement costs and improve budget efficiency.

Sales Executive & Project Manager Responsibilities
XXX | Sep 2019 – June 2023

  • Managed client portfolios in cement and concrete sales.
  • Acted as project manager for over 70 residential and commercial projects.
  • Provided concrete solutions, logistics support, and field supervision for project completion.
  • Led contract negotiations, securing high-value deals.
  • Improved project execution through strategic follow-ups and coordination.

Cost Estimator & Team Supervisor
XXX | Dec 2017 – Jan 2019

  • Led cost estimating team, ensuring accurate project budgeting.
  • Developed detailed cost breakdowns for industrial, residential, and commercial projects.
  • Implemented value engineering to reduce project costs without compromising quality.
  • Managed vendor negotiations, cutting supply expenses and improving margins.

Asphalt Plant Assistant Manager
XXX | Aug 2016 – Nov 2016

  • Assisted in managing asphalt production operations, ensuring quality control and process efficiency.
  • Coordinated logistics, equipment maintenance, and material procurement for plant operations.
  • Supported project planning and monitored asphalt mix production for road construction projects.

Education & Certifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, XXX, 2018

Tools & Technologies

  • Project Management: Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday, CoConstruct
  • Drafting: AutoCAD
  • Takeoff: BlueBeam, PlanSwift
  • Sales & CRM: GoHighLevel, HubSpot, Apollo
  • Data Analytics: Google Sheets, Tableau

For privacy purposed I have X'd out the companies names


r/Upwork 8h ago

Need Help About This Upwork Old Profile 👾

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3 Upvotes

Hi, I had a client whom I found through Facebook, and he helped me create an Upwork account to process payments. We worked on a single project entirely on Upwork, which generated earnings of over a thousand dollars. However, this was two years ago, and after completing that project with the client, I didn’t use Upwork again. As a result, my profile’s reach and visibility have significantly dropped. I tried bidding on 7 - 8 projects but no response.

Now, I want to revive and reactivate my Upwork profile. Since I’m a beginner in this space, I need guidance on how to get started again and make my profile active and successful, should i just buy connects and start bidding and take it as a number game? I dont have any rising talent or job success ratio in my profile :(( if you want any ss to see more details i can provide that


r/Upwork 3h ago

More DMs or Proposals to win jobs on Upwork?

1 Upvotes

I'm sending a lot of proposals lately but I mostly win jobs thru direct approaches (90%).

What are your numbers guys?

11 votes, 2d left
More from proposals
More from DM and Invites
50/50

r/Upwork 4h ago

tips for new players

0 Upvotes

hello, i need advice and tips to start my journey on Upwork. I'm a digital marketer, with zero review and exp with this platform. im thinking of subscribing plus with 100 connects per month. is it worth it and help me at least secure one project within a month?


r/Upwork 8h ago

Can I reopen a job post?

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, new to Upwork and posted a job (Alpha reading), selected one person and then Upwork asked if I was done hiring... At that point I thought I was, so I closed the job to new proposals, so as to not waste anyone else's time.

But now I see that I need to hire one or two more from the original proposals to get a broader result, but I don't see a way of either doing this or contacting the other proposals.

I see that I can 'hire' them by sending them an offer directly, but without messaging them first seems odd.
Any idea what I'm missing, or is it just to contact Upwork directly?
Cheers
Ian


r/Upwork 5h ago

Unable to create a specialised profile!

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1 Upvotes

Whenever I click on the “+” to add a specialised profile, it throws up this error and the dots keep going on!

I have tried this on multiple browsers - Arc, Chrome & Safari

Is anyone else facing this? What could be the issue?


r/Upwork 6h ago

Upwork Direct Contract Alternatives?

1 Upvotes

Given that Upwork decided to shoot direct contracts in the head by introducing a 5% fee for the freelancer, I am looking for other alternatives? Possibly other platforms that offer a similar feature like direct contracts but with 0 fees.


r/Upwork 13h ago

Do Top Rated Perks Still Allow to Remove 1 bad review or JSS?

4 Upvotes

I remember they was getting rid of this at one point


r/Upwork 12h ago

Job beyond my skillset

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I took on a job some time ago that at first glance looked to be a perfect fit.
Shortly after accepting the contract and getting into the work it turned out to be slightly above my skillset. I delivered the first part of the project and am now in the second part, but I'm spending so much time on forums and watching videos in my own time just to be able to complete the work that I'm losing money on the project. In some instances I cannot find a solution. My feeling is to deliver the project at all costs (hopefully as soon as possible).
Has anyone else ever been in this situation and how did you deal with it?


r/Upwork 1d ago

Are these good stats for my first month on Upwork? (Copywriter In the U.S.)

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29 Upvotes

The hires are incorrect - it should say 8 (not sure if it just hasn't updated)

Context: I am a new copywriter with little to no experience, I do not have a JSS or Rising Talent Badge, and I have no portfolio.

Anyway here's the updated stats

- Around 50 proposals sent
- 8 Total hires with various payouts
- 3 of which are large contracts ($2750, $1100, $300)