How to Avoid SCAMs
Not all companies on the internet are legitimate. Some of them promise to pay you but you could wind up losing weeks of time worth of work but not getting paid at all. These are a few tips to minimize the risk of being SCAMMED. There is always a risk that you will not get paid, but more often than not, that risk is worth taking.
Research the background of the company through Google. Type in the name of the company or the name of the person you are working for. Read about what other people are saying about this person. More often than not, if your client has been doing something fishy, someone has already blogged about it or mentioned it in forums.
Use Google Maps and find out about the company office. Use Google Maps and type in the address of the client or company (you can usually find the address on the company or individual’s website. If not, politely ask the client or company where they are based).
Ask for weekly or milestone payment. When working freelance with your own clients, especially if the client is still new, you can ask for payment weekly or bi-weekly instead of monthly. You can also ask for payment based on your accomplishment or the progress of your project/task. Once you receive your first payment, you can be more confident that the client is indeed willing to pay. Even if your client does not pay, at least you will only lose a week, and not an entire month!
Talk to the client and learn about his personality. One way to find out about the client is by directly talking to them. You can ask for a conversation through Skype or Yahoo Messenger. This will give you an idea about their personality and temperament.
