What is Fiverr? How to Secure Your Account if You are a Freelancer

For freelancers, platforms like Fiverr can open up opportunities to connect with clients worldwide. But as convenient as it may be, freelancing on Fiverr also demands careful attention to your privacy, security, and online safety.

Here's what you need to know to protect yourself, your work, and your money.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is a popular online marketplace where freelancers (or "sellers") offer a wide range of services to clients (known as "buyers") worldwide. Originally, services, known as "gigs," started at $5, but today, freelancers can set their own prices based on the scope and level of their services.

Fiverr hosts thousands of freelance gigs, from graphic design and writing to tech support and marketing. Freelancers create profiles and list their services with detailed descriptions, pricing, and timelines, while buyers search the platform to find talent that fits their needs. Once a buyer purchases a gig, the freelancer and buyer communicate on Fiverr.

How Does Fiverr Work?

Fiverr acts as a middleman between freelancers and clients, offering protection for both sides as long as their interactions occur on the platform. Here's a quick breakdown of the process:

1. Set Up a Profile: Freelancers sign up and create a profile showcasing their skills, expertise, and portfolio to attract clients.
2. Create Gigs: Freelancers list their services by creating "gigs," describing what they offer, and setting pricing tiers for basic, standard, and premium options.
3. Receive Orders: Buyers browse gigs, place orders, and make payments upfront through Fiverr, which holds the funds until the job is complete.
4. Deliver Work: Freelancers complete the work according to the gig's terms, sending the final deliverables to the buyer via Fiverr's messaging system.
5. Get Paid: After the client accepts the work, Fiverr releases payment to the freelancer, usually within 14 days, minus a 20% platform fee.

Fiverr simplifies the freelancing experience; however, like any online platform, it can present potential security issues and scams.

8 Fiverr Scams Targeting Freelancers

As a freelancer, you should be aware of the common scams that can occur to protect yourself.

1. Phishing Links: Scammers include external links in messages, directing you to fake websites or malicious downloads. If you receive an unexpected link or are asked to visit an external site not related to your gig, report the user. 

 - Fishing for a response: If you receive messages that begin with just "hey" or "hi" without any additional context, it's often a tactic to prompt a response.

2. Fake Job Offers: Be cautious if a buyer offers you work outside Fiverr or insists on communicating via third-party channels. Not only it's against Fiverr's rules, but it could lead to non-payment or data theft.

• Check the Profile. Take a moment to review the buyer's username and look for reviews from other sellers; a lack of them is a red flag.
• Verify Time Zones and Location. Compare the buyer's claimed location with their time zone. You can check the time displayed at the top of your inbox. If a buyer's time zone is significantly different from what you'd expect based on their location, it could indicate a potential issue.

3.  Payment Redirection Scams: Scammers may ask you to accept payment outside of Fiverr's system, but this is risky. Fiverr's payment protection only applies to transactions completed within the platform.

4. Chargebacks: In rare cases, a client might initiate a chargeback after receiving completed work. While Fiverr has policies to handle disputes, always save your work and communication for a solid record.
5. Fiverr support scams. Fiverr will never send you direct messages asking for account verification or assistance with an issue. Scammers may impersonate Fiverr support, claiming they need details to verify your account or resolve an account problem. If you receive a message like this, don't respond. Always go directly to Fiverr's official support page for help if you have questions. Fiverr has recently introduced a green badge next to the usernames of team members in chat. If someone claims to work for Fiverr and does not have this badge, be very skeptical, regardless of how professional they may appear.
6. Trying contact outside the platform. Some scammers might ask for your contact details (phone number, email address), claiming they need it to share project details or communicate more effectively. If you agree, you risk getting your account banned and exposing yourself to various scams, such as doing work without receiving payment. The best course of action is to explain that this violates the terms of service. Make it clear that you will only work through the Fiverr platform, which provides all the necessary tools for effective communication and collaboration. If they continue to disregard this, it's best to report them, block them, and move on.
7. "Verify your card scam." Scammers may tell you that your account needs verification through your credit or debit card. Be cautious—Fiverr never requires sellers to verify their accounts this way. Any request for financial details is likely a scam aiming to steal your card information. Only provide payment details when withdrawing funds through Fiverr's secure channels.
8. QR Codes in Messages. Scammers sometimes send QR codes containing hidden phishing links. Since Fiverr filters can block direct phishing links, scammers use QR codes as a workaround. Avoid scanning any QR codes sent through Fiverr messages, as they may lead to malicious sites designed to steal your information or infect your device.

Related: Why Small Business Owners Fall For Scams: 10 Reasons and Solutions

Example of a spam message:

Hello 👋

I'm a recruiter from _____, I'm sorry I had to text you this way, I checked your profile and got to notice you will be perfect for our pending freelance job.

Briefly, the Projects are different pages with same price of $25 per page, we hope to hire you!

If you are interested kindly reach our manager on Telegram (@name). He will direct you on the Project.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you 😊

Source: fiverr.com

Did anyone threaten ou with a bad review?

If someone says they will leave a negative review unless you comply with their demands, report them. Such behavior violates Fiverr's terms of service, and it's a significant red flag. This buyer may try to force you to work for free, exceed the original scope of work, or refuse to pay you.

Additionally, never ask buyers for reviews or discuss reviews with them. Even mentioning reviews can result in a ban or a review of your account, as platforms like Fiverr do not want sellers influencing buyers' feedback.

How to Spot and Protect Your Business from Fake Reviews: Red Flags, Tips, and Tools

How to Secure Your Account When Freelancing with Fiverr

To safeguard your Fiverr account and ensure you're working securely, follow these best practices:

1.      Set Strong Account Security and Privacy Settings

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Protect your account by enabling 2FA, which requires a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone, every time you log in.
• Create a Strong, Unique Password: Use a password that's complex and unique to Fiverr, and avoid reusing passwords from other platforms. Consider using a password manager to safely store it.
• Limit Profile Information: Share only the necessary details on your profile. Avoid giving away personal information, such as your phone number or email, which could be exploited by scammers.

2.      Stay Within Fiverr's Platform

• Keep All Communication on Fiverr: Fiverr's policies protect freelancers when all communication and payment transactions occur on the platform. Avoid moving discussions or payments to other apps like WhatsApp or email.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If a buyer asks you to leave Fiverr for communication or payment, report this to Fiverr's support team. They can investigate the buyer's profile for security purposes.

3.      Protect Your Work

• Watermark Your Work: For visual work or documents, consider adding watermarks before the client pays. Once the work is accepted, you can provide the final version without watermarks.
• Back Up Your Work: Always store a copy of your work outside Fiverr. In case of any disputes, having a backup ensures you won't lose the project files you worked hard to create.

4.      Monitor Payment Transactions

• Track Orders and Payments Carefully: Review each order's details and ensure that payment is made directly through Fiverr. Avoid any requests for external payment transfers, as these are not protected by Fiverr's terms.
• Watch for Chargebacks: Unfortunately, some clients may initiate chargebacks after receiving their work. By following Fiverr's policies and maintaining a clear record of your work and communications, you're better protected if you need to file a dispute.

5.      Stay Away from Scammers

• Don't open or download attachments and files from people you don't trust. 
• Never give away your personal information, like e-mail, full name, address, passwords, etc. 
• Don't click links from people you don't trust. 
• Notice any urgent or threatening language? Scammers often try to give you a sense of urgency, to make you not think carefully before doing anything. 
• Check for spelling and poor grammar. If someone claims to be from a legitimate company, they'll usually be a professional if they're legit. A message full of typos can indicate you're being spammed or phished. 
• Keep your device updated. If you download malware by accident, this helps to stop it! 

Block certain clients

Personal chemistry, unmet expectations, or communication difficulties can lead to situations where you may not want to work with certain buyers again in the future. Buyers have the ability to stop communicating with sellers or to refrain from placing orders. Likewise, you also have the option to block all communication and orders from specific buyers if needed.

To block a buyer:

• You can block a buyer by using the inbox actions feature.
• Once the buyer has been blocked, they will not be able to communicate or place an order with you and they can't view your Gigs or your profile.

Stay Safe on Fiverr and Other Freelancing Platforms

We have an amazing cyber security solution in our portfolio that helps you stay safe.

With Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security, you have the following:

Email Protection. Scans and blocks phishing emails, suspicious links, and fake invoices and prevents employees from accidentally clicking on malicious links.

Scam Detection. Scam Pilot monitors emails, texts, and chats for fraud. It alerts you and your employees when a scam attempt is detected, providing real-time guidance on how to handle it.

Password Management. Password Manager automatically generates strong, complex passwords that meet security best practices.

Secured Remote Work. The VPN Protects your team from unsafe public Wi-Fi networks (like those in coffee shops or airports). Ensures all communication between remote employees and your business systems is fully secure.

Device Protection: Detects and blocks malware in real-time, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware on all laptops and smartphones.

Monitoring of Your Business's Digital Identity. Monitors your business's online presence for potential data leaks, unauthorized use of your business name, and exposure of sensitive information, even on the dark web, alerting you to any breaches.

Check out the plans here.

FAQs

Is Fiverr Legit?

Yes, Fiverr is a legitimate platform used by millions of freelancers and clients worldwide. The platform itself is secure, and it provides an efficient way for freelancers to offer services and for clients to find talent. However, as with any online marketplace, users should be cautious and aware of potential scams and cyber threats.

Is Fiverr Safe?

Fiverr takes precautions to create a safe environment for freelancers and buyers alike, such as secure payment processing, dispute resolution, and account verification features. However, it's best to take your own precautions, like using two-factor authentication, avoiding external communication with clients, using Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security, and reporting suspicious activity.

What to Do if Scammed on Fiverr

If you suspect you've been scammed on Fiverr, report the incident to Fiverr's customer support immediately. Fiverr has a dedicated team to handle disputes and investigate suspicious accounts. Be sure to keep records of all communication and project files to strengthen your case. Fiverr can assist with refunds in some cases, especially if the transaction falls within their guidelines.

Should I Use the Fiverr App or Website?

Both the Fiverr app and website offer secure access to your account, allowing you to communicate with clients, manage projects, and handle payments. The choice depends on your preference and where you feel most comfortable. The app is convenient for on-the-go communication, while the website may offer a fuller view of your dashboard and settings.