Fiverr Scams: Are There Scams On Fiverr

Fiverr has emerged as one of the world’s largest freelancing platforms, connecting businesses and individuals with talented freelancers across industries like design, writing, marketing, programming, and more. With its easy-to-use interface and a wide range of services starting at just $5, Fiverr has made freelancing more accessible than ever before.

However, as Fiverr’s popularity has grown, so have reports of scams and fraudulent activities. Both buyers and sellers sometimes encounter fake profiles, undelivered work, or misleading gigs. These unfortunate experiences can not only waste time and money but also damage trust in the platform.

That’s why being aware and cautious when using Fiverr is crucial. Knowing the warning signs and practicing safe buying or selling habits can help you enjoy the many benefits Fiverr offers without falling victim to scams.

Is Fiverr a scam?

No, Fiverr is not at all a scam. In fact, it is the most popular marketplace for hiring freelancers and searching for freelancing gigs. It has been in the business for more than a decade now and provides a very safe and secure platform for businesses to hire freelancers with a wide range of services, from SEO to digital marketing, from graphic design to writing content, and a lot more. 

However, like many other online freelancing sites, Fiverr is not completely immune to the actions of bad actors, which leads to many Fiverr scams. Some users create fake profiles, post misleading gigs, or fail to deliver the promised services. Hence, it is important to understand if Fiverr is a scam or not. If you are aware of each of the scams at Fiverr that take place, then you can protect yourself as a freelancer or business entrepreneur.

Ignoring all the Fiverr scams, the marketplace promises to protect its users by offering the following layers of security. 

Payment Protection: Payments are held in escrow until the buyer confirms satisfaction with the work.

Resolution Center: Fiverr provides a built-in system for handling disputes and refunds.

Profile Verification: Fiverr verifies seller profiles and offers a “Level System” to highlight trustworthy freelancers.

Strict Policies: Violating Fiverr’s rules (like asking for off-platform payments) can lead to account suspension or banning.

Besides all these protection measures, there are still some common Fiverr scams happening in the USA, UK, and India. To counter all these scams at Fiverr, one must be aware of what scams take place and how to identify Fiverr scams. 

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Common Fiverr Scams to Watch Out For

In this section, we have highlighted a few common Fiverr scams along with their examples. But before moving ahead, let us first understand what a Fiverr scam is.

A Fiverr scam happens when either the buyer or the seller at Fiverr tries to deceive another user for personal gain. This can happen in many forms, such as freelancing, offering poor services or not delivering the work at all, or using fake reviews and portfolios to attract clients. On the other side, some buyers scam sellers by refusing payment, dealing outside the platform, or asking for a portfolio for personal gain. While Fiverr is a legitimate platform and has security measures in place, scams still happen because of some dishonest buyers and sellers. Being cautious and following Fiverr’s guidelines can help you avoid these scams.

Now let us walk through some of the most common scams on Fiverr. 

A. Fake Freelancers and Stolen Portfolios

One of the most common scams on Fiverr is freelancers creating fake profiles and showing fake portfolios of another legitimate person online. However, Fiverr follows a strict registration process and evaluates every freelancer and their details in depth. However, some freelancers, after getting approval from Fiverr, change their profile name and picture to hide their true identity and details. 

Here is the example of how freelancers create fake profiles on Fiverr and how you can detect them.

The image and name of the freelancer are Moon S, and they are located in India. Since we are from India, we can surely say that the name and profile picture do not represent the actual identity of this person. Based on our instinct, we can surely say this is a fake profile. 

We are based in India, and we know that Indians do not look like this, and the name is not Indian as well. 

How can you identify fake profiles on Fiverr? 

• Check the name and location. 
• Check the display picture. 
• Check how they are communicating. 
• Check the language and errors in their communication pattern. 
• Check the reviews and description. 

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B. Low Prices, Low Quality Trap

One of the most common scams on Fiverr is the offering of services at low prices. Many scammers post gigs offering professional services at low prices to attract buyers and businesses with low revenue and those seeking cheap services. At first, it might seem like a great deal, but the quality of services offered will be very poor and not up to the mark. 

You can look into this example and understand better. 

In the above image, the seller is offering high-quality backlink services at just INR 500, which is close to $5. The freelancer is offering a deal that sounds too good to be true. 500 high-quality backlinks at $5 is like a scam. We are personally an SEO and SaaS link-building company offering quality link-building services starting at $100 per link. 

However, this deal listed on Fiverr is a scam. If not a scam, the quality of the link and services will be poor and spammy for sure. Make sure to avoid such gigs on Fiverr because using it is a waste of time, money, and resources. 

Although the seller might be genuine, the quality of services he is offering is low and poor. 

Tip: Always balance price with quality — check the freelancer’s portfolio, read their reviews carefully, and communicate clearly before placing an order.

C. Seller Asking for Payment Outside Fiverr

Another major Fiverr scam is when a seller asks you to pay outside of Fiverr’s platform. They might promise lower prices, faster delivery, or special discounts if you send money directly through PayPal, bank transfer, or other unofficial methods.

This is a huge red flag! Once you pay outside Fiverr, you lose all protection — no refunds, no dispute resolution, and no help from Fiverr if something goes wrong. Scammers often take the money and never deliver the promised work.

Tip: Always complete payments through Fiverr to stay protected under their terms and secure payment system.

D. Non-Delivery of Work

The next scam on Fiverr is non-delivery of work, where sellers accept your order but fail to deliver the promised service. In some cases, you might not be satisfied with the quality of work delivered to you. The seller might give you false excuses, submit incomplete work, or ghost after the deadline passes. 

We have seen cases where some sellers send and submit random files just to mark the order as “delivered,” because the Fiverr system does not check the seller’s files and they think the work is completed by the seller, and then the payment is released from escrow.

This wastes your time and can seriously delay your project deadlines. Fortunately, Fiverr’s system allows buyers to request revisions or cancel the order if the delivery is not as agreed.

Tip: Always set clear expectations upfront, and don’t hesitate to open a dispute if work isn’t delivered properly.

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E. Copy-Paste or AI-Generated Deliverables

Another increasing Fiverr scam is happening in the content creation industry. With the rise of AI content generators and writers, freelancers are using AI tools to create content and send it to clients. 

Instead of custom-tailored work with a human touch for the needs of clients, some sellers quickly pull material from free templates and online sources and use AI tools to generate low-quality outputs. 

This can hurt the business of the buyer and the brand image and also cause copyright issues. Some buyers only realize the scam after using plagiarism or AI detection tools.

Tip: Always request samples, use plagiarism checkers, and review the quality carefully before approving any work.

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F. Fake Reviews and Manipulated Ratings

The next popular scam on Fiverr is fake reviews and ratings. Freelancers often buy fake reviews to make their profile look top-notch and get more work from the people who are seeking freelancing services. For someone who is new on Fiverr and looking for some genuine services, they might fall for this trap and hire the freelancer with more reviews, despite the reviews being fake. 

Now you might be wondering how someone can buy fake reviews on Fiverr. 

There are some forums and platforms from which freelancers on Fiverr buy fake reviews. Buying reviews for Fiverr is out there in the market, and many are doing it. 

A popular forum called BlackHat World is the place where such reviews are bought and sold. 

4. Buyer Scams on Fiverr (For Sellers)

The above-mentioned scams on Fiverr were from the point of view of freelancers and how they use different scam techniques to make their profile look good to land gigs on Fiverr. However, the scams are not only done by freelancers all the time. At times, buyers also scam some freelancers on Fiverr, and below are some of the scams on Fiverr done by them.

A. Claiming Non-Delivery to Get Refund

The most common scam on Fiverr that freelancers face is claiming non-delivery of service to get a refund. After the seller submits their work through the order page, the buyer disputes it, stating it was never delivered in the hope of getting a refund. In many cases, especially where a freelancer does not have strong proof like screenshots, timestamps, or attached files, Fiverr may side with the buyer, and that freelancer might have to refund the amount. 

This is a win situation for the buyer and a loss for the freelancer because he wasted time and effort in delivering the quality work based on his full capability. This scam not only costs sellers time and money but can also damage their ratings and order completion rates.

B. Reversing Payment After Delivery

Another common scam on Fiverr is when a buyer gets the completed work, marks the order as complete, and then initiates a chargeback with their bank or payment provider. This process is known as payment reversal, which also bypasses Fiverr’s internal dispute system, leaving the sellers in a tough spot. Even if the seller has completed the work with high quality , the funds can still be pulled from the seller’s account without warning.

Unfortunately, in most cases, Fiverr cannot override external bank decisions, making this scam particularly damaging. To protect yourself, always keep clear communication records, provide thorough proof of delivery, and avoid delivering work outside of Fiverr’s platform. For high-ticket services, consider breaking the project into smaller milestones to reduce exposure.

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C. Using the Work Without Paying

This is yet another common scam that buyers do on Fiverr. The buyer cancels the order or files for the chargeback but uses the delivered work without even compensating the seller. It is digital theft, plain and simple. 

Common examples include 

Logo Designers: A buyer claims the design “wasn’t delivered as expected,” cancels the order, and then you find that same logo on their website or social media.

Writers: A blog post or eBook is rejected for a refund, but weeks later, the exact content is published on the buyer’s blog under their name.

Video Editors: A client disputes the quality, requests cancellation, and you later see the final video uploaded on their YouTube or Instagram channel.

Developers: After claiming the code “didn’t work,” a buyer uses the exact script or website and even continues building on it.

This scam on Fiverr takes advantage of Fiverr’s buyer-first policies and the digital nature of the work, where freelancers can’t really take back what has been delivered. That’s why it is important to watermark all the work, keep chat records, and take relevant screenshots whenever necessary. 

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D. Asking for Free Samples with No Intent to Buy

To be honest with you all. We have been doing such scams on Fiverr with freelancers, asking for samples of their work and later using it for selfish reasons :P. Some buyers will reach out with what appears like a genuine interest in hiring a freelancer for work. They will ask for a sample of the work first, often under the pretext of wanting to evaluate whether a freelancer is the best fit for the gig or not. 

Here’s a complete storyline of how this scam works: 

How This Scam Plays Out:

• A buyer messages a graphic designer: “Can you create one quick social media post to see your style before I order 30 more?”
• A content buyer asks a writer, “Just write 200 words as a sample, and if it’s good, I’ll place a bulk order.”
• Video editors are asked, “Do a short intro clip now, and we’ll do a full video next.”

In most of these cases, the buyer disappears right after receiving the “free sample”—and the promised large order never happens. Worse, they may use that sample commercially without your permission or payment.

Tip:

Never do unpaid work on Fiverr. If a buyer wants a sample, direct them to your gig portfolio or offer to create a paid test order instead. Legitimate clients will respect your time and skills.

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5. Warning Signs of a Potential Fiverr Scam

You might have gotten a complete overview of what the potential scams on Fiverr are that are happening. If you are a business owner or a client on Fiverr, it is important for you to detect and identify such Fiverr scams to be on the safe side. 

Here are some tips below on how to identify the scams at Fiverr.

A. Incomplete profile or no real photo

One of the first red flags to look for on Fiverr is the fake or incomplete profile picture. Scammers on Fiverr will use fake photos to avoid revealing their true identity if their only intent is to scam people. Some of them might also skip filling in their important profile details like work experience, skills, and samples of previous work done. 

Such a type of missing information or a fake profile photo that looks like an avatar or a stock image is a sign that you might get scammed by such a freelancer. Genuine freelancers will use a real image and fill in all the information in their profile to get the work. Before hiring any freelancer, always take the time to review the profile, about us section, and reviews, and most importantly, their profile photo should match with their name. 

Here is the example of a fake profile picture on Fiverr. 

B. Generic or poorly written messages

If a freelancer has mentioned in his location USA, UK, or Europe-based with a profile photo of a person looking similar to the country where he or she is residing and sends you poorly written text on Fiverr, then be aware of such freelancers. This can be a trap. People from Western or European countries have a strong command of the English language, as it can be their native language. Such people rarely make any mistakes while communicating on chat. 

So, as a business owner, if you come across such a freelancer who is sending messages that lack personalization and have grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, or irrelevant content, then avoid such freelancers. Legit freelancers will always ask relevant questions, and their command over the language will be strong enough to make you feel they are legit. 

This type of scam is mostly done by Asian freelancers who use fake profile photos to make their profile look as if they are someone from a Western country. 

C. Overpromising unrealistically

Scammers on Fiverr will give you unrealistic promises to complete your project even before the deadline, just to lure you. Watch out for such scam freelancers on Fiverr who guarantee top-notch services, especially in the domain of SEO or social media marketing. 

A fake freelancer will guarantee you a top 10 ranking on Google within a few months, or a fake social media freelancer might guarantee you 10,000 genuine followers in a few days. These are some unrealistic service offerings that cannot happen overnight. Good services will take time, and genuine freelancers will show you an actual picture rather than offering you false or unrealistic promises. 

D. Pushing you off-platform

Another major Fiverr scam indicator is when a freelancer is trying to move the conversation or the payment off Fiverr. They will send you a Google Doc in which they might have written messages to make the deal via WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or any other site. This is a complete violation of Fiverr’s terms and conditions. 

Freelancers do this kind of scam only to avoid giving commission to Fiverr. If you want to deal with a freelancer off Fiverr, you can. But make sure to take all the relevant information from them and make the payment only after they deliver the work. 

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6. How to Avoid Getting Scammed on Fiverr

A. Check Reviews and Ratings Carefully

Before you hire any freelancer on Fiverr, make sure to check and scan their profile completely. Don’t just look for their offerings; read and go through their profile in detail. Check the ratings and reviews that include specific details on delivery, communication, and overall experience. 

Highlight the review section shown in stars.

Also, try to check if all the reviews are unique and do not follow a similar pattern. Scammers on Fiverr will get paid reviews that are consistent and only talk about the same thing. If you want to hire a legit freelancer on Fiverr, then check if the reviews are unique and not similar to one another.

B. Look at Portfolio and Past Work

If you want to hire an honest and legitimate freelancer on Fiverr, then always check the portfolio and past work. Although freelancers won’t show their past work and portfolio on Fiverr directly. You need to ask for this information from freelancers and verify it. Take your time to go through their profile, and if possible, try to reach out to their clients via email or LinkedIn and ask for their review and experience. If the freelancer does not give a portfolio and gives only screenshots and non-descriptive documents, then avoid those freelancers.

Legitimate professionals are usually proud to share their past work and will tailor it to your inquiry. On Fiverr, quality speaks louder than promises—so let the portfolio help guide your decision.

Here is the sample of a portfolio of a freelancer on Fiverr, which hardly shows an actual picture of his services.

C. Communicate Clearly Before Ordering

Before you hire any freelancer on Fiverr, make sure you communicate with him or her about your deal, requirements, and project details. Have a long-term chat with them and take your time to make a final decision. Outline your goals with them and share details on your expectations, timeline, and specific deliverables upfront. 

This step will help you to get into the head of the freelancer and also help you to understand the freelancer’s mindset. It is also a good way to check the responsiveness of freelancers before hiring them. 

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D. Never Pay Outside the Platform

We have mentioned this earlier: Never pay a freelancer outside the Fiverr platform. One of the most common scams on Fiverr is the freelancer asking for money outside the platform to save the commission that Fiverr charges. 

If you pay outside the Fiverr platform, your account will be banned permanently. You won’t be able to create a Fiverr account ever again. Not only is this against Fiverr’s terms and conditions, but it also strips you of any protection if something goes wrong. So, make sure you stick to the Fiverr platform for making payments. 

E. Use Milestones for Larger Projects

If you are hiring someone for larger projects, you must use Fiverr’s milestone feature to break the work into small chunks. This will allow you to review the progress of your work done by the freelancer, and then you can release the payment in bits and pieces, which will reduce the risk of disappointment. 

This feature should be used by those clients who are seeking services like web development, content creation, and branding projects that will take at least a month or two.

You can also check the quality of your work done by a freelancer as one of the few milestones gets completed and give your review and feedback to the freelancer for further work. 

F. Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes, your gut feeling is your best defense against getting scammed. If a seller seems evasive, overly pushy, makes too-good-to-be-true promises, or gives you a bad vibe—don’t ignore it. Even if everything looks fine on the surface, a lack of clear communication or inconsistency in their responses can indicate deeper issues. 

Fiverr is filled with talented, honest freelancers, so there’s no need to settle for someone who raises red flags. Trusting your instincts doesn’t mean being overly suspicious, but it does mean paying attention to subtle cues that something might be off. When in doubt, look elsewhere.

7. What to Do If You Get Scammed on Fiverr

A. Report the user immediately.

If you get scammed on Fiverr by a freelancer, you should report the freelancer’s account immediately from their profile or the order page. Fiverr will take action against the freelancer. They might ban his account after checking the complaint from your end. 

B. Use the Resolution Center.

If you get scammed on Fiverr, you can also use Fiverr’s resolution center and share the screenshots of all messages, work files, payment details, and order summary that will act as evidence and will help Fiverr to take a decision in your favor. This proof will make it easy for Fiverr to understand what happened with you and will help Fiverr to make a fair decision.

C. Gather proof and screenshots.

If you have not documented everything, then it will be difficult for Fiverr to give a decision in your favor. Make sure to take screenshots of all the chats and messages that happened between you and the freelancer and submit them to Fiverr’s resolution center.

D. Contact Fiverr support directly.

If the Resolution Center doesn’t help, contact Fiverr Customer Support directly via their Help Center. Submit a ticket with your order number and attach all relevant evidence. Be clear and concise in explaining the issue. Fiverr’s support team usually responds within 24–48 hours and can manually refund your payment if you’re eligible.

FAQs About Fiverr Scams