In today’s fast-moving digital economy, freelancers are more empowered — and more vulnerable — than ever. While remote work and international collaborations offer amazing opportunities, they also open the door to increasingly sophisticated scams that target independent professionals.
But here’s the part they don’t put on the glossy freelancer welcome kit: this world is full of too-good-to-be-true offers, ghost clients, and flat-out scams. And I’ve seen my fair share. One even pitched me a role that involved traveling overseas to “discuss compensation” — which would have sounded great if there had been a real office, or company, or, you know… a flight.
So I created something I wish I’d had sooner: the Freelancer Fraud-Detection Checklist — a straightforward, real-world guide to help freelancers stay sharp, verify clients, and protect themselves from sketchy situations before they become costly mistakes.
Red Flags? Yeah, I’ve Met Them
Like the time a “recruiter” messaged me on WhatsApp offering a dream project… that just needed a small “application fee.” Or when a potential client said, “We don’t do contracts. We believe in trust.” (Spoiler: they also believed in not paying invoices.)
It doesn’t take long in this business to realize that while your work has value, your vigilance is what protects that value.
What the Checklist Covers
The guide isn’t long-winded or locked behind a paywall. It’s built from real-life scenarios with checkable, actionable points across:
- Verifying companies (before they ghost you)
- Catching manipulative communication tactics
- Understanding shady payment setups
- Recognizing emotional red flags (“you’re lucky to be chosen,” anyone?)
It’s free, friendly, and brutally honest — like your favorite business coach, if they were a little tired of everyone’s nonsense.
Get the Checklist
If you’ve ever paused after a client email and thought, Is this legit?, this checklist is for you.
👉 Download the Freelancer Fraud-Detection Checklist
(And if you don’t need it right now, tuck it in your digital glovebox. You’ll thank yourself later.)
Final Thought
Protecting your business is part of running your business. Being skeptical doesn’t make you cynical — it makes you smart. And if one more fake CEO messages me on LinkedIn about a six-figure opportunity in “bio-nanomedical blockchain,” I may need to turn this checklist into a 10-part series.
Stay sharp out there!
Help Shape What Comes Next
I’m currently developing a Freelancer Business Masterclass to help independent professionals build smarter, safer, and more scalable businesses. As part of that process, I’m offering limited consultation calls to connect directly with freelancers and learn more about what you truly need to grow.
If you’ve downloaded the checklist and want to share your experiences, insights, or struggles with client work, I’d love to hear from you.
📅 Schedule a short, strategic consultation — you’ll help shape the direction of something built for freelancers, by a freelancer who gets it.
No pressure. No pitches. Just an honest conversation about freelancing and what you need to thrive.
