How to Avoid Freelance Writing Scams

These days, freelance writing is a hot gig. Whether it's blogging or writing ad copy, website content or articles, freelance writing is a great source of income that lets you work on your own schedule. Unfortunately, the same scammers who prey on freelancers with fake data-entry jobs and wire transfer scams have started to close in on freelance writers, as well. Do you know how to spot a freelance writing scam?

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Check the source. Where did you find the job listing? While scammers have been known to advertise on reputable sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and MediaBistro, they're more likely to spam Craigslist and various Yahoo! mailing lists.
2. Read the company details. How much company information do they provide in the job listing? The less information they provide, the more likely it is that there is no information.
3. Scrutinize the pay scale closely, and be realistic. Most freelance jobs will pay per completed project, with either a lump sum for completed articles/posts or a reasonable per-word payment; some will also pay per page views, if you're writing for an online venue. If they only make vague noises about royalties or promise that "you too can make $300 to $500 a day working from home," steer clear. They may make that kind of money. You'll never see a penny of it.
4. Look at the qualifications for the job. If they don't require at least some experience with the topic you'll be writing about and a decent grasp of written English, then they don't care if you can write. They care if they can sucker you in.
5. Check out the company. Look them up in the Better Business Bureau, and ask around. If their operation is a scam, more than a few people have been burned already and will be quite vocal about it.
6. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the company itself. Do they send payments by check, direct deposit or PayPal? Do they require a W-9? Will you be an employee or contractor? Do they report your income to the government, and will they send you a W-2 or 1099-MISC at the end of the year? Most legitimate companies will be up front with this information.
7. If they ask you for money, then writer beware. The basic principle of any job is that the employer pays the employee, not the other way around. If they say you have to pay for training before they'll give you paid work, or demand that you pay for materials or anything else, it's a scam.