Designer mistakes

Three Scams That Designers Fall For

1. We're a large studio, we pay at the end of the month

They recruit freelancers under the guise of an agency, put together projects, and disappear.

Protection:

• Take an advance payment and work in stages.
• Check the website and legal information.
• Don't send source files until payment.

2. We found your work on Behance - we want to place you with a foreign company

They promise an offer, but ask you to pay for a "visa" "software" - and disappear.

Protection:

• Never pay for a job.
• Don't download files from unknown sources.
• Ask for a Zoom call.

3. You're right for us, but you need to take an online course from partners.

Your "dream job" is only available after a paid course on a dubious website.

Protection:

• A job isn't paid training.
• Study your partner - it's often just a shell.
• Don't pay for "training."

Designer mistakes that can lead to Scam:

• No contract - work is done without written terms.
• No advance payment - the designer works for free "on trust."
• Believes promises too much - accepts words instead of facts.
• Unlimited test assignments - essentially doing the work for free.
• Doesn't check the client - doesn't look at reviews, website, or reputation.

✅ Checklist: How to avoid being scammed

1. Establish a contract or at least put the terms in writing.
2. Take an advance payment (usually 30-50%).
3. Limit test assignments (no more than 1-2 hours of work).
4. Check the client - website, social media, reviews, availability Legal entities.
5. Record stages and payments in stages.
6. Keep correspondence and files - this is proof of your work.