Is Fiverr Legit? Look Out for These Red Flags to Avoid

The internet is filled with scammers looking to make a quick buck, and freelancer platforms are no exception. So is Fiverr legit? For the most part yes, but here are 5 warning signs to help you spot potential scams. 

Outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular. There are many good reasons to outsource design. But when it comes to finding the right person, it’s where things get tricky. 

Firstly, there are tons of potential candidates you’ll need to wade through. Next, even the most popular freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork attract their fair share of scammers.

So, is Fiverr legit? Yes, and there are 3 main reasons why it is.

1. Fiverr has a vetting system.

Although Fiverr is free for anyone to join, it doesn’t mean that there’s no vetting system in place.

Identification verification is required, which includes submitting personal IDs or sometimes even video identification. Freelancers can also take skill tests to prove their aptitude in a certain discipline. 

Finally, Fiverr has a tiered system that rewards freelancers with high job success rates and many completed gigs.

2. Fiverr handles all payments and possible disputes.

If you’re wondering “how legit is Fiverr”, this will provide some comfort. Even if you fall prey to a scam, there’s a good chance Fiverr will prevent/reimburse any financial damage.

Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t end up wasting a lot of time and not get any work done.

3. Fiverr reviews provide additional credibility.

While it’s not impossible to fabricate reviews (friends and family members, reviews are generally a decent indication of how legit a Fiverr freelancer is. 

If you’re looking for a design freelancer on Fiverr, reviews that showcase the work are a good indicator of a legitimate gig (especially if the work is published somewhere else, e.g. websites or social media). 

However, when it comes to design, unlimited design services are a much better and safer alternative. Scroll over to the end to find more about it.

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5 Red flags of Fiverr scams

Although Fiverr freelance jobs are, for many, a great way to make some extra cash, some people use it to scam you out of your money.

It’s never a guarantee, but you can try to avoid getting scammed if you tread carefully. Here are some red flags to look out for when going through advertised gigs on Fiverr.

1. Too good to be true

If you stumble upon a gig that promises simply unattainable results, it’s wise to move along. Think about a promise to double your social media followers in 5 days or a video that will go viral.

But it’s not just about what’s being promised. A promise can be very reasonable, but if it comes overly cheap, there is bound to be a downside to this great bargain. 

It may just be a freelancer without heaps of experience, trying to get in some portfolio material and a review. These services are often priced accordingly, which is fair enough. However, if a gig is priced significantly lower than the average, be suspicious.

2. Wiring money upfront

When your Fiverr freelancer starts asking you to wire money upfront or bypass Fiverr as the middleman, it’s time to get wary. This is a great general rule to go by when doing business online.

Fiverr advises you to report any buyer or seller that asks you to use an alternative payment method. Some freelancers will ask you to go into business with them outside of Fiverr to avoid paying the commission fee. Be aware that none of these payments outside of the Fiverr platform are safeguarded. 

Better safe than sorry: stick to the platform to avoid losing your money to Fiverr scams.

3. Generic gigs

The first step in vetting your Fiverr freelancer is zooming in on the marketplace ad. You should check for false promises, as we mentioned earlier. But you should also check for the overall genericness of the ad.

Does the gig include a generic stock photo instead of a real person or result? Is the text riddled with spelling mistakes? Or is it a blatant copy-paste of another ad? Then you’ve very likely stumbled upon a scam. 

A professional will take due care in proofreading their ad and ensuring it stands out from other Fiverr freelancers. Of course, this matters more for one ad than the other. If someone is trying to sell their writing skills without bothering to proofread their ad, it’s safe to assume they’re not a serious seller. 

If the language of the gig sounds a little too generic, try typing the first few lines into Google and see if anything comes up. Found the exact same gig advertised by a different account? Look for another seller.

4. Negative reviews

Luckily, most freelancers on Fiverr are tried and tested, meaning that others have left reviews. Always go through the reviews of a freelancer before hiring them.

Other people’s bad experience with a Fiverr seller is one of the biggest red flags to look out for. It goes without saying that one or two bad reviews next to dozens of great ones are fine. But, if you see several bad reviews, look elsewhere.

Lastly, a complete lack of reviews is also a telltale sign that you should tread with caution. In this case, you could look beyond the star reviews and try to seek a portfolio or published work of your freelancer.

5. Sketchy results

We’ll finish our list with the worst kind of scams: the ones where the real scam is the results. Unfortunately, these are the most difficult to identify upfront.

Typical forms of such a scam are gigs for acquiring website backlinks, traffic, social media followers, or high ranks in search engines. 

Sometimes, scammers deliver these promises. You’ll see your website has a lot more traffic, or your social media page has gained many followers. But if you delve a little deeper into the analytics, you’ll realize most of these results are worthless, as the spike in traffic and followers are actually bots. 

In graphic design, sketchy results are usually connected with lack of originality. A quick Google image search can help you discover if the Fiverr designer is trying to sell you a free template with minor adjustments.

How to handle Fiverr scams

You may think you have all the armor so as not to get scammed. But the harsh truth is there are plenty of people out there who will do anything to make a quick buck. Scams are evolving, and scammers have become more and more clever with their ways.

Luckily, Fiverr is a legitimate platform, so there are a few steps you can take to either get your money back, or help ensure this particular person doesn’t run the scam on someone else again. 

1. Gather evidence: Collect all relevant evidence of the scam, including messages, files, and any other interactions you had with sellers on Fiverr. This documentation can be valuable when trying to resolve the situation.
2. Contact the seller first: Before you assume a Fiverr freelancer is a scammer, it’s best to approach them. 's possible that there might have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication. Give the seller an opportunity to address your concerns and rectify the situation. More often than not this will work out to everyone’s advantage.  
3. Use the Resolution Center: Fiverr provides a resolution center where you can communicate with the seller to attempt to resolve disputes. This platform can be used to discuss issues, request revisions, or negotiate solutions.
4. Request a revision or refund: If the work delivered by the seller does not meet your expectations or if you suspect a scam, you can request revisions or a refund. They might want to charge extra for additional revisions. You’ll need to decide whether this is a fair request, depending on the quality of the work submitted, and the quality of your briefing. 
5. Contact Fiverr Support: If you're unable to reach a satisfactory resolution with the seller, you can contact Fiverr's customer support. Explain the situation, provide evidence, and ask for their assistance in resolving the matter.
6. File a dispute: If the issue remains unresolved, you might have the option to file a dispute with Fiverr. This can lead to a more formal investigation into the situation. Fiverr's support team can guide you on the steps to take.
7. Report the scam: Fiverr takes scams and fraudulent activity seriously. Report the incident to Fiverr's support team so they can take appropriate action against the seller if necessary. 
8. Contact the payment provider: If you paid for the service through a payment provider (such as PayPal or a credit card), consider reaching out to them if you're unable to resolve the issue through Fiverr. They might be able to help with disputes or chargebacks.
9. Learn and be cautious: While Fiverr is legit, it's important to remain cautious and informed when hiring freelancers. Look for sellers with good reviews, complete profiles, and clear communication. Never share personal information or open links or files from people you don’t trust.

A better alternative to hiring design freelancers

If you’re still not convinced about the question “how legit is Fiverr”, don’t worry. In case you’re looking to outsource graphic design, there’s a fantastic, risk-free solution right in front of you. 

Our unlimited graphic design service means you can get all your graphics in one place, for a flat-monthly rate. Best of all, you never have to worry about vetting or testing out candidates - our rigorous process allows us to hire only the best designers, and we match you with the one whose skills, style, and experience best suit your needs.

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Best of all, you never have to worry about vetting or testing out candidates - our rigorous process allows us to hire only the best designers, and we match you with the one whose skills, style, and experience best suit your needs.

‍Schedule a free 1:1 consultation - we’d love to learn more about your design needs!