<p>The modern development of internet technologies has given many people the opportunity to work remotely, that is, in the format of freelancing. However, as the popularity of such employment increases, so does the number of people striving to deceive trusting clients. How can one recognize scammers among freelancers and protect oneself from unpleasant experiences?<p>The first thing to pay attention to is the freelancer's reputation. If there are no reviews or very few on the platform where you found them, this should be the first alarm signal. Reviews are your directory of trust, and if they are absent, you should think twice about taking the risk.</p><p>The next point is the presence of a portfolio. An honest and experienced freelancer will always be happy to share their work. If the potential executor starts 'feeding you promises', citing 'confidentiality' and 'trade secrets', this may be a sign of dishonesty.</p><p>Also, pay attention to the level of communication. Aggressive behavior, an overly persistent desire to gain access to critically important information, or, conversely, attempts to drag out negotiations, are signals that should alert you.</p><p>Special attention should be given to the situation with prepayment. Experienced freelancers usually work with partial prepayment, which protects the interests of both parties. However, if you are required to pay for the work in full before it is completed, this should make you wary.</p><p>Pay attention to the structure of the contract or agreement. If a freelancer offers a contract with obvious gaps or, on the contrary, overly complex terms, it may indicate incompetence or even intentions of fraud.</p><p>Do not neglect social networks and search engines. Check information about the freelancer on third-party platforms and social networks. Often, the presence of a real profile, participation in discussions, and publications can tell you much more about a person than purely professional indicators.</p><p>If during the work process you start noticing oddities — the freelancer goes missing, doesn't respond to messages, frequently changes work conditions, this may be a sign of deception. If something seems suspicious to you, trust your instincts and don't be afraid to end the collaboration.</p><p>In conclusion: a freelancer differs from a scammer in their level of responsibility, openness, and transparency in communication. Checking reviews, portfolio, and simple common sense will help you avoid troubles and choose a true professional for the job.</p></p>