Danica Rose Delos Santos

The Hidden Cost of Job Fraud on Upwork: A Call for Change As a freelancer navigating the vast landscape of online job platforms, I’ve always appreciated the opportunities that Upwork provides. However, a concerning trend has emerged that not only frustrates freelancers like myself but also threatens the integrity of the platform. The prevalence of fake job postings is becoming impossible to ignore, and it’s high time we address this issue. Imagine spending valuable Connects—10 for a single application—only to discover that the job listing was a mirage. Whether it’s a non-existent project or an offer that leads to spammy pitches, the time and resources wasted on these fraudulent postings can quickly add up. For many freelancers, every Connect counts, especially when we’re competing for limited opportunities. Upwork has built its reputation on connecting talented individuals with clients who genuinely need their skills. However, the current policies around job postings allow for too much ambiguity. Clients can create listings with little to no verification, leaving freelancers vulnerable to scams and disappointments. This not only undermines the trust between freelancers and clients but also detracts from the overall experience on the platform. It’s time for Upwork to rethink its approach to job postings. Here are a few suggestions to enhance transparency and protect freelancers: Verification Process: Implement a simple verification process for clients posting jobs. This could involve validating payment methods or requiring clients to provide more detailed project descriptions. Flagging System: Enhance the existing flagging system for suspicious job postings, making it easier for freelancers to report scams. Swift action on these reports can help deter fraudulent behavior. Connects Refund for Fraudulent Posts: Consider a policy where freelancers can receive a refund of Connects if they apply for a job that is later confirmed to be fraudulent. This would not only alleviate some of the financial burden but also incentivize the platform to take job postings seriously. As freelancers, we deserve a platform that values our time and efforts. By addressing the issue of fake job postings, Upwork can not only protect its users but also strengthen its community. Let’s advocate for a safer, more transparent environment where genuine talent can flourish without the fear of falling prey to fraud. Together, we can push for changes that benefit everyone in the Upwork ecosystem. Your voice matters—let’s make it heard!

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✅ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐀 𝐟𝐨𝐫 ₱𝟒𝟗𝟗 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘! 🗓️ Check the form for the next schedule   Enroll here 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/e6A2n4je #FreelancingPH #VirtualAssistantPH #WorkFromHomePH #FreelancerLife #VirtualAssistant #RemoteWork #HomeBasedBusiness #DigitalNomadPH #OnlineJobsPH #FreelanceTips

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🌟 Why Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines is the Best Choice 🌟 Having the right support is crucial. Here’s why hiring virtual assistants (VAs) from the Philippines is a smart move: 1. Cost-Effective: Save up to 70% on salaries with hourly rates ranging from $5 to $15. 2. Excellent English: High proficiency in English ensures clear communication. 3. Strong Work Ethic: Filipinos are dedicated, loyal, and culturally compatible with Western businesses. 4. Skilled Workforce: Find VAs with diverse skills in marketing, IT, customer service, and more. 5. Time Zone Advantage: Enjoy 24/7 support for seamless operations. 6. Government Support: Reliable infrastructure and incentives from the Philippine government. 7. Flexibility: Easily scale your workforce up or down based on your needs. Hiring VAs from the Philippines is not just cost-effective; it's a strategic move to boost efficiency, productivity, and growth. 📈 Ready to elevate your business? Consider a Filipino VA today! hashtag #VirtualAssistant hashtag #Philippines hashtag #Outsourcing hashtag #BusinessGrowth hashtag #Efficiency hashtag #RemoteWork hashtag #GlobalTalent hashtag #clarkstaff Feel free to connect with me for more info!

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My Upwork history : March 2020 - September 2024 (?) Hello IT community! Today I want to share my painful Upwork story and 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. To begin with, I have built a tremendous freelance career within Upwork over the last 4 years. I was a 𝐓𝐨𝐩-𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 with 200k+ Earnings on the platform and 30+ satisfied customers. However, it looks like they are not considering the reputation at all, since 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝. On the 2nd of September, I received a message from the platform stating that I needed to 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚. At the same time, some restrictions were placed on my account. I uploaded every document needed, and on the next day I received an email saying that verification was completed successfully (I can share all the screenshots upon request). Yet, nothing changed. I waited for a week with my account under restrictions and zero response from the Support. I passed their Re-Skill for Success test and added a new card, even checked if my name was spelled correctly, but none of these actions helped. ❗️Upwork doesn’t have live human support agents, only scripted auto replies. The only way you can get human support is to `Submit a ticket`. I did it, since with the account under restrictions, one cannot use forum to share a problem. I received a response — a message asking for a video call for another verification. I agreed and joined the call on the 17th of September. During the call, I showed my physical Driver License and National ID. I also answered all the questions. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚, and I was promised a decision within 24 to 48 hours. But nobody contacted me — neither in 24 hours nor in 48 hours. On the 23rd of September, I received an email stating that 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝. 📍 𝐍𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠❗ This is how Upwork treats verified freelancers with over 4 years of work history and more than 30 clients.… ❗Now, I have lost my customer that I have worked with for more than a year (yes, we used the Upwork time tracker). I have lost more than 4 years of my life that I invested into that account, and don’t know what to do. So, here I am sharing my problem with the LinkedIn community and reaching out to Upwork via social media. I demand my case to be reviewed again, because I do not agree with the decision and feel offended by the unfair treatment. ♦️ It is not okay to let a person know that they have been verified and keep restrictions. ♦️ It is not okay to promise feedback within 48 hours and deliver it in 6 days. ♦️ It is not okay to ban someone with a spotless reputation and Top Rated Plus badge without any explanation. Please, reach out to me in DM or in the comments if you had the same experience, and how you handled it. I am also happy to share all the screenshots. #Upwork #Upworksupport #freelance #verification #ban #suspended

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Hiring virtual assistants, customer service representatives, and sales agents from the Philippines offers various advantages: 🌟 Cost-Effective Solutions: "Hiring talent from the Philippines allows businesses to maximize productivity while minimizing costs." 🌟 Highly Skilled Workforce: "The Philippines boasts a pool of educated and skilled professionals who excel in various industries." 🌟 Strong English Proficiency: "With a high level of English fluency, Filipino workers can communicate effectively with international clients." 🌟 Cultural Compatibility: "Filipinos have a natural affinity for Western culture, making it easier to align with business values and practices." 🌟 Dedicated Work Ethic: "Filipino workers are known for their strong work ethic and commitment to delivering excellent service." 🌟 24/7 Availability: "With a strategic time zone difference, Filipino virtual assistants can ensure round-the-clock support." Take advantage of these benefits by considering the exceptional talent and value that hiring from the Philippines can bring to your business! 🌏💼 #VirtualAssistants #OutsourcingBenefits

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Struggling to wear all the hats in your startup? Don't wait till you're drowning! Outsourcing can free you to focus on what matters. Start small with a VA & scale as you grow. Find your first VA on VirtualStaff.ph today! #outsourcing #outsource #outsourcingsolutions #startups #startupbusiness #virtualassistants #virtualassistantservices #outsourcingservices #offshoring #smallbusinesstips

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🌟 Why Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines is the Best Choice 🌟 Having the right support is crucial. Here’s why hiring virtual assistants (VAs) from the Philippines is a smart move: 1. Cost-Effective: Save up to 70% on salaries with hourly rates ranging from $5 to $15. 2. Excellent English: High proficiency in English ensures clear communication. 3. Strong Work Ethic: Filipinos are dedicated, loyal, and culturally compatible with Western businesses. 4. Skilled Workforce: Find VAs with diverse skills in marketing, IT, customer service, and more. 5. Time Zone Advantage: Enjoy 24/7 support for seamless operations. 6. Government Support: Reliable infrastructure and incentives from the Philippine government. 7. Flexibility: Easily scale your workforce up or down based on your needs. Hiring VAs from the Philippines is not just cost-effective; it's a strategic move to boost efficiency, productivity, and growth. 📈 Ready to elevate your business? Consider a Filipino VA today! #VirtualAssistant #Philippines #Outsourcing #BusinessGrowth #Efficiency #RemoteWork #GlobalTalent #clarkstaff Feel free to connect with me for more info!

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Administrative Tasks can take much of your time. Now is the right time to hire Virtual Assistants that can do the job for you! Choose the right VA for your admin needs. Message me now. We don't compromise quality that's why we only hire the best!! #outsourcing #hiring #easy #simple #effortless #competitive #innovation #access #technology #offshoring #reduce #cost #operation #revenue #tasks #double #save #startups #top #talents #Filipino #tailored #services #free #benefits #soar #now #growth #focus #sales #virtualassistant #experts #Philippines #leadgen Types of General VA:       

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💸 **Upwork's New Instant Connection Fees: A Blow to Freelancers' Hard-Earned Money** 💸 As if the increasing competition and high service fees weren’t enough, now Upwork has introduced Instant Connection Fees. This new "feature" seems like just another way for the platform to capitalize on freelancers' hard-earned money adding more financial pressure on those who rely on Upwork for their livelihoods. Freelancers already invest in connects to bid on jobs, and now we're expected to pay extra for the chance to expedite our proposals? It feels like Upwork is slowly becoming less about empowering freelancers and more about extracting every dollar it can. We should be working towards creating opportunities for independent professionals, not exploiting them. What do you think about this new move? 🚨 Is it helpful or just another fee to deal with? #Freelancers #Upwork #FreelancingCommunity #FreelancerStruggles #UpworkFees #FreelancingLife #IndependentProfessional

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✨Reminder✨ Virtual assistants are skilled professionals who can handle a variety of tasks, from email management and scheduling to data entry and research. By delegating these time-consuming tasks, you can free up your schedule and focus on strategic priorities that drive your business forward. Don’t overlook the benefits of hiring a VA to enhance your productivity and streamline your operations. Let’s connect and explore how a virtual assistant like myself can support your success! #VirtualAssistant #ProductivityBoost #AdministrativeSupport #BusinessGrowth #Efficiency #TimeManagement #Delegate #RemoteWork #VAservices #WorkSmart

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Hit your fitness goals with ease, thanks to virtual assistants! Let us handle your tasks while you focus on your workout routine.🏋️‍♂️💪 #FitLife #WorkoutMotivation #AssistantOutsourcing VirtualAssistant #VirtualStaffing #TipTuesday #BusinessSupport #BusinessSuccess #WorkFromHome

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Recruiter: We are thrilled to announce that we are currently hiring! Position: Virtual Assistant/Data Entry Clerk Excited Jobseeker: Absolutely! I’m very interested! Job Description: We seek entry-level candidates eager to learn and grow with us. The ideal candidates will assist with various administrative tasks, including data entry, scheduling, and general support for our remote team. We value dedication and a strong work ethic, and we’re excited to welcome someone enthusiastic about contributing to our mission. Must-Have: - At least 3 years of experience in a remote work environment - 3+ years of experience with data scraping tools and methods - Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software - Strong attention to detail and organizational skills - Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal - Ability to work independently and manage time effectively To Apply: - Please attach your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. - We also request that you submit a 2-minute video showcasing your skills and explaining why you would be a great fit for this position. Don’t forget to add a bit of your personality! Three Days Later: Recruiter: Thank you for your interest in the position. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we are unable to move forward with your application at this time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide further feedback on your submission. When I receive emails like this, especially from a startup company, it leaves me feeling quite disappointed. It raises the question: if a company can't take the time to provide meaningful feedback to applicants who have invested their time and effort into the application process, how can I expect them to deliver proper feedback to customers who don’t owe them anything and might leave at the first sign of poor service? It’s disheartening to see a lack of engagement in such a critical area of business, especially from organizations that should be striving to build a strong reputation from the ground up. #Virtualassistant #Remotejob #jobseeker

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I've seen people on LinkedIn talking about Upwork issues, like clients not responding and proposals being ignored. It's not upwork's fault; it's about how we present ourselves. Let's improve our proposals, grab new chances, and remember, sticking to a regular 9 to 5 job might help your boss more than it helps you reach your goals. Thanks Upwork for these amazing opportunities. #Upwork #freelancers #virtualassistant #9to5job #business #motivation #invensissolutions

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