Our priority at Contra is keeping both clients and freelancers safe, which is why each job published to the job feed is reviewed by our team to ensure it meets our standards.
While we aim to catch anything suspicious before it reaches you, scam incidents can still happen. Knowing what to watch for can help you stay safe and help us make Contra safer for everyone.
Red flags to watch for
Here are a few red flags that may indicate suspicious or unsafe client behavior:
Requests for unpaid work: If a client asks you to complete work without a signed proposal or payment agreement, that is a red flag and against our Code of Conduct.
Application or start-up fees: Legitimate clients will never ask you to pay to apply or begin working.
Pushing to move off-platform: Clients insisting on taking the conversation off Contra before a proposal is signed may be attempting to bypass our safety checks.
Suspicious links or downloads: Be cautious if a client asks you to download software or click unfamiliar links, especially early in the conversation.
If anything feels off, trust your instincts and flag to us.
What to do if you suspect a scam
If you come across a job that seems suspicious or have a concern about a client, please report it directly to our team by emailing hello@contra.com.
To expedite the process, please include any relevant details, such as the client's name, job title or messages you’ve received. We'll investigate the situation and take action as needed.
How Contra takes action
If an approved job later appears suspicious after investigation, we may:
Temporarily hide or remove it from the feed
Reach out to the client for more information
Permanently ban the client from Contra if necessary