Scams Attacking Freelance Writers
Today’s post is inspired by Yuwanda Black at Inkwell Editorial. She wrote an article titled AssociatedContent andPayPal Scame: How to Keep Your Online Earnings Safe 100% of the Time. I highly suggest you take the time to read this article in its entirety.
In short, Yuwanda is describing two emails she received, one that looked like it came from Associated Content and another that looked like it came from PayPal. Both were asking her to confirm key user information that would have given them access to her account had she fallen prey.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the processes used by the companies you deal with on a regular basis, especially if they’re paying you. The communication methods used will vary from company to company, but many will have a set strategy and will never stray from it. Associated Content, for example, does not email users. They send internal messages on the AC system - unless, of course, you’ve sent them an external message (such as to an editor), which they’ll kindly reply to.
PayPal does the same thing. They’ll send you an email asking you to log into your account to read your messages, but rarely send anything else. The only other emails I get from PayPal contain the occasional newsletter. My personal information stays personal - all the time.
As a growing freelance writer you need to make sure that you aren’t being taken advantage of, and that means staying alert and aware at all times. You’ll find that you’re using online payment sources more and more as your career grows, so you’ll want to understand exactly how each one works.
Don’t get caught up in a scam. If something seems strange, it probably is. Be careful and you’ll never have to worry about losing your hard earned cash!