Receiving Payments From Abroad as a Freelancer
Freelancers working for overseas clients face overpayment tricks, fake job platforms and payout scams. How to get paid safely and spot clients who are really scammers.
Remote work lets freelancers serve clients anywhere. It also exposes them to "clients" who never intend to pay, and to platforms that exist only to take fees.
Common scams against freelancers
- Overpayment: a cheque or transfer for too much, then "please refund the difference". See overpayment tricks.
- Equipment purchases: "we'll pay you, you buy software from our vendor". The payment bounces.
- Fake platforms charging joining, training or withdrawal fees. See training fee scams.
- Test work never paid: large unpaid "trial" tasks.
- Payment redirection: asked to receive and forward money. See money mule recruitment.
Getting paid safely
- Use reputable platforms with escrow, and keep communication and payment on the platform.
- Use a written agreement with milestones and deposits for larger work.
- Wait for payments to clear fully before sending anything or delivering final files.
- Check the client: company registration, website, real people.
Never refund an overpayment or buy anything on a client's behalf before their payment has fully cleared.
Related: fake payment confirmations. For more, see our guide to financial scams.
Frequently asked questions
A client sent too much and wants a refund. Is it safe?
It is a classic overpayment scam. Wait until any payment has fully cleared and refund only to the original source, or decline.
Should I pay to join a freelance platform?
Be very cautious. Established platforms do not usually charge upfront fees to access work or withdraw earnings.
How should I get paid?
Through reputable platforms with escrow, or established payment services, with a written agreement.
Sources
- How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- Job Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- When a Business Offer or Coaching Program Is a Scam, US Federal Trade Commission
