The WMF Archives: How to Avoid Craigslist Writing Scams

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

How to Avoid Craigslist Writing Scams

6:00 AM

Many freelance writers, including myself, often turn to Craigslist to find clients who are seeking writers. I've had a fair amount of luck finding clients on Craigslist, but I'm always cautious when working with someone from Craigslist because I've heard numerous horror stories from fellow writers.

Many writers are ripped off by scammers on Craigslist so it's important to remain diligent if you do decide to find work from Craigslist. If something just doesn't seem right to you, it's best to turn around and run in the other direction. You can always find other work, but you can never get back the time you spent writing or the money you earned should you become a victim of a scammer. Here are some things you can do to avoid getting scammed:

Do Your Research

Before you work for a client you found on Craigslist, do your research!! Research the company and any company information the client provided you. Research the client's name and even ask the client for references. If you can't find any information about the company or client, and the client won't provide you with references, it's best to walk away from the opportunity.

If the Ad Looks Fishy...

Look at the Craigslist ad well before responding. It should provide detailed information about the services the client is seeking, not just "I need a writer." It should provide links, experience required, and should look like a professional ad. It shouldn't be consumed by typos and wishy washy information. If the ad just doesn't seem right or seems low quality, chances are it's a scam or the pay they are offering just isn't worth it anyway.

Be Careful Who You Send Info To

Not getting paid by a Craigslist client isn't the only thing you need to worry about. Be careful who you send your resume, contact information, and writing samples to. Many people will steal your samples and post them on the Internet without your knowledge. The same thing goes for your resume. They can use your resume and even steal your information. Depending on what you have included on your resume, you can become a victim to identity theft. Be very careful and feel comfortable with who you are sending this information out to. Ask for more details about the project prior to sending this information to ensure you're speaking with a legitimate person.

When you work with any client, it's essential to always ask for 50% of your compensation upfront. This lessens the chances the gig is a scam, plus protects you on some level should the client happen to skip the last payment.

What are some lessons you have learned from working with Craigslist clients?

Don't forget...

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Labels: Alyssa Ast, Avoid craigslist scams

4 comments:

Katherine C. Teel said...: This is really good advice. I've gotten a lot of great work through Craigslist, too, but I was also scammed at the end of last year to the tune of about $2300 worth of work. I admit that I wasn't careful enough in doing my research, and that I didn't bail when I should have--wanting, rather than believing, that this job could be true. So, yeah, writers--protect yourself. A healthy suspicion is...well, healthy.; January 18, 2011 8:31 AM
Pam Houghton said...: A lot of the Craig's List ads provide so little information I don't bother responding. There are a few nuggets in between all the cryptic ads...but I'm surprised people bother responding to ads with so few details about the writing job. How would you even know what to tell them about your background as a writer? Anyway...my two cents!; January 18, 2011 8:42 AM
Stephanie Mojica said...: I've seen Craigslist ads that are really nothing more than ways to get people to sign up for affiliate programs and then generate a few dollars or more per sign up for the "employer."

So, if someone sends you a "job application" that looks fishy, beware; you may really be signing up for a whole lot of junk mail while lining the "employer's" pockets.

Stephanie; January 19, 2011 9:33 AM
Anonymous said...: I only send links to work that have already been published and put up in websites and I never, ever write free samples. For any reason. Period. If a Craigslist poster asks you for free work, run away.

-- Writer.; May 30, 2011 3:25 PM