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Do You Need to Verify Identity on UpWork?

Last updated on September 30, 2022 @ 11:44 am

As the world increasingly moves online, more and more businesses are hiring remote workers. This trend has been facilitated by the growth of platforms like UpWork, which connect businesses with freelancers from all over the world.

While this arrangement can be beneficial for both parties, it does come with some risks. One of the most significant risks is that of identity theft.

When you hire someone on UpWork, you are generally not meeting them in person. This means that you are relying on their online persona to be an accurate representation of who they really are.

However, it is relatively easy for someone to create a fake online identity. This fake identity can then be used to commit fraud or steal sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

For this reason, it is important to take steps to verify the identity of anyone you hire on UpWork (or any other online platform). There are a few different ways to do this:

PRO TIP: If you are asked to verify your identity on Upwork, be aware that this is likely a scam. There are many reports of scammers asking for personal information or money in exchange for verifying your identity. Upwork will never ask for money in exchange for verifying your identity. If you are ever asked for money in exchange for verifying your identity, please report it to Upwork immediately.

-Ask for identification documents: When you first contact someone on UpWork, you can ask them to provide some form of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. This will help you to confirm that they are who they say they are.

-Check their online presence: Take some time to check out their online presence outside of UpWork. Do they have a professional website or blog?

Are they active on social media? What do others say about them online? A comprehensive online presence can be a good indication that someone is who they say they are.

-Video call: If possible, arrange a video call with the freelancer before hiring them. This will allow you to see their face and hear their voice, which can help you to verify their identity.

By taking these steps, you can help to protect yourself from identity theft and other scams when hiring freelancers on UpWork or any other platform.

Drew Clemente

Drew Clemente

Devops & Sysadmin engineer. I basically build infrastructure online.