Remote work scams are everywhere. They prey on people looking for flexible work, especially in countries like South Africa where demand for remote jobs is high.
Some are obvious. Others are sophisticated enough to trick even experienced freelancers.
Here's how to tell the difference.
Common Scams Targeting South Africans
1. The Upfront Fee Scam
You find a "job" listing. They offer decent pay. But before you can start, they ask you to pay for training materials, software access, or background check fees.
Legitimate companies don't charge you to work for them. Ever.
If someone asks for money before you've earned anything, it's a scam.
2. The Check Cashing Scam
They "hire" you for data entry or admin work. Then they send you a check—usually overpaid—and ask you to deposit it and wire the difference back.
The check bounces. You're out the money you wired. And your bank account might get flagged for fraud.
Real employers use payroll systems, not personal checks sent to random freelancers.
3. The Fake Job Interview Scam
You apply, they schedule a chat interview (often on Telegram or WhatsApp). The "interviewer" asks for personal details—ID number, bank info, sometimes even copies of your ID.
Next thing you know, someone's trying to open accounts in your name.
Legitimate companies conduct interviews through professional channels. They don't ask for your ID number before you've signed a contract.
4. The Reshipping Scam
They hire you to receive packages at home and forward them to another address. Sounds easy. They even pay you for the first few.
Turns out the packages are bought with stolen credit cards. You're now part of a fraud operation, and when the cops come knocking, guess whose address is on file?
If a "job" involves receiving and shipping packages with no clear business purpose, walk away.
Red Flags to Watch For
Here are the warning signs that something's off:
- Too good to be true pay. If they're offering R50k/month for basic data entry, it's probably BS.
- No website or a sketchy one. Legitimate companies have professional websites. Not a WordPress blog thrown together in 10 minutes.
- Vague job descriptions. "Earn money online!" without explaining what you'll actually be doing.
- Urgency tactics. "Apply now! Limited spots!" Real jobs don't use FOMO marketing.
- Communication through personal channels. WhatsApp and Telegram are fine for client work, but initial hiring should happen through professional email or the platform itself.
- Grammar and spelling mistakes. Not a dealbreaker on its own, but combined with other red flags, it's a sign.
- They found you first. Be suspicious if someone reaches out offering a job when you haven't applied. Especially on social media.
How to Verify a Platform is Legit
Before you sign up or apply to any remote work platform, do this:
1. Google the Company Name + "Scam"
Simple but effective. If it's a known scam, someone's complained about it online.
Check Reddit, Trustpilot, HelloPeter, or just Google results. Look for patterns—multiple complaints about non-payment, fake jobs, or upfront fees.
2. Check Their Social Media
Legitimate companies have active, professional social media. Real customer interactions, regular posts, actual employees.
Scam sites either have no social presence or fake accounts with few followers and no engagement.
3. Look for Contact Information
Real companies have real addresses, phone numbers, and support emails.
If the only contact option is a Gmail address or a Telegram handle, be very skeptical.
4. Check Domain Age
Use a tool like WHOIS Lookup to see when the domain was registered.
If the site claims to have been around for years but the domain is 3 months old, something's wrong.
5. Test Their Support
Send them a question. See if they respond professionally and promptly.
Scam sites often have no real support, or they'll respond with generic, unhelpful answers.
What Makes a Platform Trustworthy?
Legit remote work platforms share these traits:
- Transparent about fees. They tell you upfront if they take a commission or charge for premium features.
- Escrow or payment protection. Your money is held until work is completed and approved.
- Dispute resolution process. Clear policies if something goes wrong.
- Verified users/clients. Some form of vetting on both sides.
- Active community. Reviews, forums, testimonials from real users.
- Professional branding. Looks and feels like a real company, not a weekend project.
Platforms We've Verified
On PaidProperly, we only list platforms that:
- Accept South African users
- Have a track record of actually paying people
- Don't charge upfront fees for basic access
- Have transparent terms and conditions
Not every platform is perfect, but they're all legitimate. Browse our curated list here.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If you've already fallen for a scam:
- Stop all contact immediately. Don't send any more money or information.
- Report it. File a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African Fraud Prevention Service.
- Alert your bank. If you've shared banking details, let them know. They can monitor for suspicious activity.
- Warn others. Post about it on HelloPeter, Reddit, or social media. Help others avoid the same trap.
Bottom Line
If something feels off, trust your gut.
Legitimate remote work opportunities exist. You don't need to take risks with sketchy platforms or offers that sound too good to be true.
Do your homework. Verify before you commit. And stick with platforms that have a track record.
Your time is valuable. Don't waste it on scams.