When to Report Abuse

How reporting works on FreelanceWWW

FreelanceWWW lets freelancers send reports to the platform's administration to keep project quality high and step in quickly to protect both the person reporting and other freelancers. In some cases FreelanceWWW may decide to refund credits. In some cases it may also ban the client.

It's important to know that systematic or improper use of this feature can result in penalties for the freelancer.

When you CANNOT use the "Report abuse" feature

  • The client doesn't reply It cannot be used if the client doesn't reply to the offer or to the messages sent: even though we encourage them to reply, even if the answer is no, they cannot be forced to do so. It's normal for a client to reply to only a limited number of freelancers.
  • The project is closed It cannot be used to ask us to contact the client once the project is closed. A project is closed, ahead of its natural deadline, if the client has assigned it or has rejected your offer. Communication stops once a project is assigned, to protect the freelancer it was assigned to, and the same applies to a rejected offer.
  • Incomplete explanation When you don't provide a thorough explanation of the reason for reporting the abuse.
  • Requesting other contact details from the client When you expect to get contact information about the client beyond what is available (shown as "visible after offer" in the project description before you send your offer).
  • Contact outside the platform's channels When you try to contact the client through channels other than those provided by FreelanceWWW, such as a website or a social account. A website or social account is there only to give an indication of the type of context and activity requested.

When you CAN report an abuse

The decision on whether to take action always rests with FreelanceWWW. In the following cases our staff steps in to assess what action, if any, to take, and may also contact the client to confirm that the information provided isn't sufficient.

  • Disrespectful or offensive behavior The client behaves in a disrespectful and/or offensive way.
  • Project different from what was described The project is substantially different from what was described on the platform. For example, the client writes that they're looking for an English translator but is actually looking for a Spanish one, or the budget doesn't match what was stated.
  • Commission-only or "equity" pay The client proposes pay based entirely on commission or on "equity". FreelanceWWW accepts only a partial "variable" component of pay, because business risk rests with the client.
  • Client is a minor The client is a minor.
  • Illegal activities The client proposes illegal activities.
  • "Duplicate" project The project is a duplicate of one the same client just published. FreelanceWWW generally asks clients to wait at least 6 months before republishing a project. In particular cases the time may be shorter, for example if the previous project was assigned or if the client is looking for multiple collaborators for the same project.
  • Unpaid test work The client uses test work sent by the freelancer without paying for it. In some cases the client may request a test (for example a short text or a graphic draft): before doing any such work, it's strongly recommended that you understand where and how the client intends to use it (for example on which site), and proceed only on explicit agreement.
  • Other cases Behavior not covered by this list that could harm the platform.