Scams targeting freelancers

Only trust the actual payment app or bank balance, not screenshots.

Go directly to the tax authority website instead of using message links.

Do not buy access tools or badges to start freelance work.

Do not send money back until the original payment is final and visible.

Check with the tax authority or credit bureaus directly instead of the message.

Do not buy starter materials or internal brand kits from a client to begin work.

Never send money to anyone claiming an accidental overpayment without verifying through your bank directly

Never allow remote access to process a refund as legitimate companies do not operate this way

Verify any health plan through your state's Department of Insurance.

Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount from a stranger.

Hang up and call your utility company directly — legitimate overpayments are credited to your next bill automatically

Never accept a check for more than the selling price.

Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction.

Do not click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS — the IRS does not initiate contact by email.

Verify your tax preparer has a valid PTIN by searching the IRS Return Preparer Office directory.

Monitor your business credit reports regularly for unauthorized accounts.

Check the IRS Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool at irs.gov before hiring any company.

Verify the supplier's business registration, physical address, and trade references before placing orders.

Review all invoices against actual purchase orders — never pay without verifying the service was ordered.

Be skeptical of any SEO company that guarantees specific rankings — legitimate agencies discuss strategy, not guaranteed outcomes.

Never pay upfront fees to secure a loan — legitimate lenders deduct costs from loan proceeds or charge at closing.

Verify any compliance requirement directly with the government agency referenced in the notice.

Establish a policy that only authorized personnel can approve supply orders, and never confirm orders with unknown callers.

Research the awarding organization independently — check for reviews, Better Business Bureau complaints, and verifiable past winners.

Hang up and call your local BBB directly using the number from bbb.org to verify any communication.

Always renew domains directly through your current registrar's website — never through unsolicited notices.

Require all advertising commitments to be in writing with authorized signatures before any work begins.

Check your actual registrar account directly to verify your domain's renewal status and expiry date.

Instruct staff to never provide equipment or ordering details to unsolicited callers.

Read every invoice carefully, including fine print — look for disclaimers indicating it is a solicitation, not a bill.

Only pay trademark fees through the official trademark office website (USPTO.gov in the US) or through your registered attorney.

File your annual report directly through your state's Secretary of State website to pay only the actual government fee.

Never click links in PayPal alert emails — open a browser and go directly to paypal.com to check your account status.

Never refund overpayments to a different account or by a different payment method — refund only through PayPal's built-in refund feature to the original sender.

PayPal will never ask you to submit tax documents or verify business details through an email link — always use the PayPal Business dashboard directly.

Never refund Zelle overpayments — ask the buyer to contact their bank to reverse the excess amount themselves.

Verify all payment requests by calling the vendor or client at a known phone number — do not use contact information from the email requesting payment.

Never accept payment for more than the agreed price — this is the hallmark of an overpayment scam.

Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally.

Never pay an invoice you did not expect — verify with the supposed sender through a separate communication channel.

Uber support communicates primarily through the app — hang up on unsolicited calls claiming to be from Uber.

Sign up to drive for Uber only through the official website at uber.com/drive or the Uber Driver app.

Check your Uber Pro status and rewards only through the official Uber Driver app.

Verify any job offer by contacting the professor or department directly through your university's directory.

Verify any job offer by visiting the company's official website and contacting their HR department directly.

Legitimate employers provide equipment directly or reimburse after verified purchase — they never send checks to buy from unknown vendors.

Verify coworking spaces by visiting the location in person or checking their verified profiles on Google Maps before paying.

Never click VPN login links in emails — always access your corporate VPN through the official application or bookmark.

Verify the onboarding process by calling the company's main number and asking to speak with the HR contact who sent the documents.

Always verify direct deposit change requests through a phone call to the employee using a known number, not the one in the email.

Legitimate home office stipends are reimbursed after purchase or provided through corporate purchasing — never through personal check overpayment.

Never click links in Slack notification emails — open Slack directly through the app or bookmark.

Always navigate to freelance platforms by typing the URL directly — never through ads or email links.

Only install time tracking software from verified developers — check reviews and the developer's reputation before installing.

Know that the IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or social media about stimulus payments.

Apply for healthcare coverage only through healthcare.gov or your state's official marketplace.

Access your unemployment account only through your state workforce agency's official website.