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I've been asked about this before, especially from new sellers on Fiverr, who might not be aware of certain red flags when selling on Fiverr. The fact is, you're likely to come across a scammer or two when selling your services on Fiverr. 


Most articles I could find online is geared towards buyers rather than sellers. 


So here is my list. It's by no means complete and is based on the scams I've encountered myself, so if you have been the victim of a scam or have different "red flags" than me, I'd love to hear about them! 


Let's help each other avoid bad experiences :D 

#1 Trying to connect outside of the platform


This is a big red flag for me. It's not just against the terms of service – it's also potentially dangerous. You never know who's on the other end. In addition to getting you banned, this could lead to all sorts of scams, including having you do work, then not pay you for it. 


Buyers will sometimes ask for contact information like e-mail or phone numbers. The best response to this is to explain that it's against the terms of service, that you'll only work directly here on Fiverr, and that the platform offers all the tools you need to communicate and collaborate effectively. If they don't respect this, you should report them, block them, and move on. It's not worth it, even if the gig sounds sweet. 

#2 Asking for unreasonable discounts or services


This goes without saying. If someone suggests that you provide them with a discount, especially if they do so in a rude way, it is a big red flag. "Give me your best price" or "I will only pay... for this" and so on, tells me something about the buyer: they are not valuing or respecting my work or time. I don't want to work with buyers like that because it often leads to revision loops (sellers abusing the revision button) or other bad experiences, and it's disrespectful towards the professional. 


I've mentioned this in another post, where I go more into why "dear sir", "dear madam" is a red flag. It doesn't necessarily mean it's a scam, but it puts me on my toes, for sure. Primarily due to experience, so your mileage may vary. 

#4 Anyone who pretends to work for Fiverr


Fiverr has recently implemented a green Fiverr-badge next to the username in chat for users who are part of the Fiverr team. Be very sceptical if someone claims to work for Fiverr and don't have that badge, no matter how professional they might seem. 


...It probably is. Be aware of any gigs or offers that don't feel right. This could be the promise of regular work, massive projects etc., especially from new buyers. If a buyer just created their profile, they're not likely to spend thousands of bucks on the platform. Sure, it might be true, but be very sceptical, ask questions, and make sure you get good answers. 


This also goes for anyone contacting you for a custom offer, promising to give you all the instructions after you've sent them the offer. If they want a custom offer, they should provide you with instructions beforehand. This is because they might mislead you to set up a custom offer, promising that you'll do something, only to give you different instructions after the order has been made. 


It's also likely to cause revisions loops, as I mentioned before, because a buyer with bad instructions probably won't be happy with the end result. Ask questions, make sure you understand the project before sending the offer and require proper instructions from all your buyers. 


Some people are just rude. They might be a good buyer nonetheless, but my neck hairs tend to rise immediately if this happens. Rude buyers who don't respect you, your services, or who behaves in any way that you're not comfortable with should immediately raise red flags. Be wary about messages using words like "demand," "you shall", or just plain old rudeness. 


If anyone threatens you with a negative review if you don't do this and that, report them. It's against the terms of service, and it's a big red flag. This buyer will likely force you to work for free, go outside the scope of the original order or refuse to pay you. 


If someone threatens with a negative review, I'll instantly report them to customer service. I'll then wait - I will not accept to cancel the order, and I will not answer the buyer: I'll report it. Then wait for customer support. They will handle it for you, as this is unacceptable. 


Related to this: never ask a buyer for reviews, or talk to them about reviews. The mere mention of it can get you banned or put under review because Fiverr doesn't want you to influence the buyers' feedback. 

I hope this list helps you avoid some common issues with scammers on Fiverr. I probably missed many, though, so if you have red flags to share, please do so! I'd love to read & learn from my fellow doers! 


My top 8 RED FLAGS when selling on Fiverr

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