Freelancers and Side Hustles: How to Dodge Payment Scams

January 2026

People earning outside traditional employment are targeted with fake jobs, fake invoices and reversed payments.

The overpayment trick

A 'client' overpays and asks for the difference back. The original payment later bounces, and your refund is gone.

Fake job onboarding

Interviews that never involve video, and 'equipment' paid for with your own card, are recruiting fraud.

Verify before you ship

Confirm the payment has truly cleared in your own account before delivering work or refunding any difference.

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