How do you save yourself from getting scammed by an article writer? What a nightmare.

9 replies
Here is a horrific experience I went through recently...I hired a writer to do a 10 article project for one of my new sites. He delivered on time...Did a great job and I was happy with the work overall. They all passed copyscape.

But after 9 days I saw the same articles on some other website and under someone else's name. I contacted the site owner and he told me that the same writer had sold these articles to him a day ago.

And the main issue was I had not published these articles to my site yet due to which it did not flag it on copyscape for the new buyer.

The writer is not responding to my mails and I guess I have been scammed but is there any way one can save himself from this?
#article #nightmare #save #scammed #writer
  • Profile picture of the author Writing Warrior
    I think the best way to protect yourself is to purchase articles based on a trusted friend's recommendations.

    Alternatively, you can find a writer that has been around for awhile and has satisfied customers who you can contact. Look at the writer's testimonials, as they will usually contain a link back to the testimonial provider's website. From there you can find contact information and ask anything you want of real people who have worked with that writer.

    You should also file a dispute with Paypal (assuming you paid with them). In cases like these (any transaction that doesn't have a shipping tracking number), buyers usually win.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanman
      Originally Posted by Writing Warrior View Post

      I think the best way to protect yourself is to purchase articles based on a trusted friend's recommendations.

      Alternatively, you can find a writer that has been around for awhile and has satisfied customers who you can contact. Look at the writer's testimonials, as they will usually contain a link back to the testimonial provider's website. From there you can find contact information and ask anything you want of real people who have worked with that writer.

      You should also file a dispute with Paypal (assuming you paid with them). In cases like these (any transaction that doesn't have a shipping tracking number), buyers usually win.
      Yes I've already filed a dispute with paypal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Alexander
    or create them yourself using software. That way, you KNOW they are unique.
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    http://www.contentboss.com - automated article rewriting software gives you unique content at a few CENTS per article!. New - Put text into jetspinner format automatically! http://www.autojetspinner.com

    PS my PM system is broken. Sorry I can't help anymore.
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    • Profile picture of the author ptone
      Originally Posted by Jon Alexander View Post

      or create them yourself using software. That way, you KNOW they are unique.
      What kind of software would you use to create the articles...do you mean MS Word or OpenOffice?
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  • Profile picture of the author Monetize
    I'm sorry this happened to you.

    I usually have my writers sign a copyright release and in some cases a
    non-compete agreement if they are made privy to trade secrets or other
    proprietary information.

    As to your issue, unless you've spent a large amount of money it would
    be best to move on (IMO). It's not worth the time and effort trying to
    pursue this. Your writer will not receive any further business or favorable
    recommendations from you or the other site owner and he probably won't
    last long in the writing field if this is how he treats his clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanman
      Originally Posted by Monetize View Post

      I'm sorry this happened to you.

      I usually have my writers sign a copyright release and in some cases a
      non-compete agreement if they are made privy to trade secrets or other
      proprietary information.

      As to your issue, unless you've spent a large amount of money it would
      be best to move on (IMO). It's not worth the time and effort trying to
      pursue this. Your writer will not receive any further business or favorable
      recommendations from you or the other site owner and he probably won't
      last long in the writing field if this is how he treats his clients.
      I am not too bothered about the money but i think it would be hard to trust freelance writers from a forum. I guess i'll stick to bigger sites like elance.
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      • Profile picture of the author ic7
        ...but i think it would be hard to trust freelance writers from a forum.
        Was the writer from Warrior Forum? Because I would hire from here. Just pick a writer with a good reputation and a history here. There are some very good writers on this forum. Not that elance is bad, I would just start here first.

        Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author ryanman
          Originally Posted by ic7 View Post

          Was the writer from Warrior Forum? Because I would hire from here. Just pick a writer with a good reputation and a history here. There are some very good writers on this forum. Not that elance is bad, I would just start here first.

          Paul
          No. Not from this forum. But you are right. It's always good to do some good research on them before thinking about investing in them for the long term.
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  • Profile picture of the author Solidsnake
    Banned
    What a sucker... even if you have published them immediately, still not a good idea... both of you (the other buyer) will suffer.
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