How can freelance translators protect themselves from fraudsters?

The Internet provides translators with opportunities to cooperate with clients around the world, but the lack of personal contact with employers can lead to problems. Unfortunately, fraud is also common in the field of translation, as in other industries. Freelancers are particularly vulnerable because their activities are not always protected by law, and they may not be able to defend their rights. In order for the work to bring joy, not problems, it is important to be alert and critically evaluate each potential customer. Despite the ingenuity of fraudsters, most use similar methods.

The simplest and most common method of fraud is to stop communicating with the translator after receiving the finished order. Payment in such cases is not expected, and it can be extremely difficult to find a fraudster. All attempts to contact an unscrupulous customer are ignored, and the absence of a contract makes legal prosecution impossible. Sometimes fraudsters can impersonate an existing organization in order to gain the translator's trust. However, when contacting the specified agency or bureau, it turns out that they do not have any information about such a customer.

The scheme of deception is similar to the first, but slightly complicated, includes a "bait" in the form of a small order, which the translator executes and receives payment on time. Then, when the trust in the customer is established, the translator proceeds to a new, more complex and time-consuming task without doubts and suspicions. An additional "motive" may be the fraudster's demand to make a decision as soon as possible due to "burning deadlines" and the promise of generous payment. As a result, the dishonest client disappears, leaving the translator without remuneration for his work.

To avoid such situations, freelance translators should take precautions and follow certain recommendations. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from fraudsters:

1. Check the customer: Study the information about the potential client, check the reviews and ratings, look for contact details and the history of cooperation with other freelancers.
2. Conclude a contract: It is important to conclude a written contract with the customer, in which all the terms of cooperation will be spelled out, including the amount of work, deadlines and payment.
3. Request an advance payment: It may be worth discussing the prepayment with the customer, especially if it is a large project. Thus, you can guarantee that your efforts will not be in vain.
4. Communicate through official platforms: If you work through freelance websites, use their means of communication and payments. Also, keep track of changes in the rating and customer reviews.
5. Follow your intuition: If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, do not hesitate to ask questions and additionally check the information.
6. Network of contacts: Communicate with other translators and freelancers, share experiences and information about potential fraudsters. Joint support and mutual assistance can be very useful.

Following these recommendations, freelance translators will be able to reduce the risks of encountering fraudsters and ensure the safety of their activities, enjoying work and decent remuneration.