First, Freelance.com is a web service that connects freelance programmers with clients.
I've been a long time customer I was happy with the service and never would have thought they were illegitimate. That is until I tried to withdraw funds I had already deposited into my account. I have $462 and another $350 that will be available for withdraw soon because my projects weren't completed. I'm young and fresh out of college so $800 really hurts.
So I tried to withdraw my funds and was asked to verify my identity. Ok, that makes sense enough I thought and so I followed procedure. I gave them a scanned copy of my drivers license, proof of address and then a photo of me holding my drivers license with a "verification" code they sent me.
The next day I get an email saying all of my verification submissions were rejected. They said I now needed to submit a passport, bank statements and take another picture of myself with the materials. They also said my diver's license needed to be in english... Which was laughable because it's a united states drivers license and was scanned in pristine condition, what language do you think it's in?
I researched online to find I'm not the only person whose had trouble getting their money back from freelancer. So I email them and even call out "i'm suspecting foul play" and that "you don't want to give me my money back" and how I followed all their instructions and refuse to give any more personal information because I already gave them enough to prove I'm me. If anything they would want clearer scans, not new types of documents... Scam
They emailed me back and assured me how safely they manage documents and they destroy them after use and gave me a wonderful privacy statement to make me feel better... Accept they didn't acknowledge the fact I already gave them what they asked for and they are still holding onto my $800
So I emailed them back and said hey, I'll level with you and send you a receipt from google checkout of me depositing my money into my account and look my name and username are all over it. Their response:
"Thank you for your prompt response.
We understand your concern with submitting documents to our site for verification. Rest assured that it is only required for our verification process to ensure your account's validity and authenticity. Additional documents are required whenever necessary as it is part of our protocols.
Kindly provide the documents through the Verification Center. We look forward to your cooperation and understanding."
Yes, that's great... Except I did send you the information you wanted and you haven't addressed that yet, you just want more personal information.in an age of identity theft who in the world is going to give a company every form of identification they have and a bank statement? I think a driver's license (which they asked for) is good enough. Plus you ignored me willing to meet you half way with my receipt...
So my advice is don't work with freelancer.com if you ever need to withdraw your funds as a buyer you won't be able to and they will scam you. Most the programmers on that site ripped me off to.
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