online work without scams: a reference guide

Inet Zarabotok

An independent reference guide to remote work and online safety. We are not a job board, an employer or a financial company, we make no income promises, and we are not affiliated with the previous site on this domain.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions that come up most often for people who are just starting to work online or have already run into a difficult situation. The answers are general: for your specific case, check your contract, the platform's rules and the official guidance.

One good question asked before a deal is worth more than a dozen asked after it.

— Editor's view

About this guide

Is this guide connected to the site that used to be on this domain?

No. The previous site and the spam pages that appeared later have nothing to do with us; their content has not been preserved and is not published here.

Why don't you name platforms, banks or software?

Companies' terms change, while the signs of honest and dishonest work stay the same. Besides, we do not want this guide to turn into a ranking or a showcase for anyone's services.

Can I send you a company to check?

We do not check or rate individual companies. Instead, the section on vetting companies explains where and how you can do it yourself.

Can I find a job through you?

No. We do not publish job listings or projects, and we do not connect contractors with employers. The guide helps you look for work elsewhere with your eyes open.

Projects and payment

Do I have to sign a contract with a client?

Putting the terms in writing is useful in any case. Even without a full contract, confirmed messages stating the scope, deadline and price are better than a verbal agreement.

Is it worth doing an unpaid test task?

A small test task is normal practice. But if the task is as big as a real project, it is reasonable to suggest a paid trial stage.

How do I ask for a deposit without scaring off the client?

Calmly explain that this is how you work with all new clients, and offer a milestone-based option. A serious client is usually not put off by such a request.

What should I do if a client asks to move from the platform to private messages?

Reread the platform's rules. Leaving it often strips you of protection in a dispute, and sometimes it is the first step of a scam.

Taxes and security

How do I become self-employed?

In Russia, you can register through the official app or website of the Federal Tax Service. The regime was established by Federal Law No. 422-FZ of 27.11.2018. Rules differ by country — check your local tax office and financial regulator.

What tax does a self-employed person pay?

Under Russian rules, 4% on income from individuals and 6% on income from sole proprietors and companies. The regime can be used while annual income does not exceed 2.4 million roubles.

An employer is asking me to open a card in my name and hand it over. Is that normal?

No. It is a sign of a money mule scheme. Never hand over your card, its details or access to your account to anyone else.

Someone from "the bank's security department" is contacting me. What should I do?

End the conversation and call the bank yourself using the number on your card or on its official website. Do not share any codes and do not transfer money to a "safe account."

  • Key concepts

    Key concepts of working online: types of work arrangements, client and contractor, contracts, payment, tax and the main risks.

  • Security

    Two-factor authentication, phishing, SMS codes, fake job offers, money mule schemes and paid-like tasks: how to recognize them and what is at stake.

  • Company checks (in Russian)

    An archived address from the previous site: how to vet a company or employer before trusting them with your money, documents or time.

  • Guides

    Step-by-step guides: how to land your first projects, write a proposal, discuss a test task and deliver the work. The article catalogue is here too.

Sources

  • Federal Law No. 422-FZ of 27.11.2018 (Russia)
  • Federal Tax Service of Russia: information on the professional income tax
  • Bank of Russia: directory of financial market participants and list of companies with signs of illegal activity

Information on Russia's professional income tax and on what the Bank of Russia publishes was checked against official sources as of the date this material was prepared. Terms set by platforms, banks and employers change, so check the current version before any important decision.