Gig.tn is designed to protect both buyers and freelancers by ensuring secure transactions through its escrow system. However, some scammers try to bypass this system by asking buyers to pay them outside the platform—this is one of the most common and dangerous scams in freelancing.
If a freelancer asks you to pay via PayPal, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or any method outside Gig.tn, you are at high risk of being scammed. The moment you leave Gig.tn’s payment system, you lose all buyer protection, and if anything goes wrong, there’s nothing Gig.tn can do to help you recover your money.
🚨 How This Scam Works
Scammers who use this tactic typically follow a pattern:
The Freelancer Sends a Private Message:
"Hey, I can give you a discount if you pay me directly!"
"Gig.tn charges too much in fees, let’s do this privately!"
"I only accept PayPal/bank transfers—Gig.tn takes too long to pay!"
They Offer a Lower Price as Bait:
To lure you away from Gig.tn, they’ll claim that by avoiding platform fees, you can pay less.
"Instead of 100DNT on Gig.tn, I’ll do it for 80DNT if you send it via PayPal!"
You Send the Payment & Get Nothing in Return:
Once the money is sent, they disappear or send low-quality work and refuse refunds.
You have no way to dispute or recover your payment since it was done outside Gig.tn.
🛡️ Why You Should NEVER Pay Outside Gig.tn
If you fall for this scam, you will lose your money, time, and Gig.tn's protection. Here’s why you should always keep payments inside Gig.tn:
✔ Escrow Protection: Your money is held safely until you confirm the work is delivered.
✔ Dispute Resolution: If something goes wrong, Gig.tn helps resolve issues fairly.
✔ Verified Sellers: Gig.tn verifies freelancers to reduce scam risks.
✔ Guaranteed Refunds: If the freelancer fails to deliver, Gig.tn ensures you get a refund.
✔ Account Safety: Off-platform payments can expose your bank details to fraudsters.
If you pay outside Gig.tn, you are completely on your own, with zero chance of recovering your money if scammed.
🚩 Red Flags – How to Spot This Scam
These are clear warning signs that a freelancer is trying to scam you:
❌ They ask for payment via PayPal, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash.
❌ They offer a “special discount” for off-platform payments.
❌ They pressure you to pay before placing an official order.
❌ They claim Gig.tn’s fees are "too high" and they prefer "direct payments."
❌ They refuse to start work unless you send money first outside the platform.
If a freelancer does any of these, DO NOT proceed. Report them immediately.
💬 How to Respond If Someone Asks for an Off-Platform Payment
If a freelancer tries to convince you to pay outside Gig.tn, respond firmly:
🚫 “Sorry, I only make payments through Gig.tn for security reasons.”
🚫 “Gig.tn protects both buyers and freelancers. I will not send payments elsewhere.”
🚫 “This goes against Gig.tn’s policies. If you want to proceed, place an order here.”
Then, report the freelancer immediately to protect yourself and other buyers.
🔍 How to Report a Freelancer for Off-Platform Payment Requests
If a freelancer asks you to pay outside Gig.tn:
Go to their profile or gig page
Click the “Report” button
Select “Attempting to take payments off-platform”
Provide details & screenshots of your conversation
Submit the report for review
Gig.tn actively bans freelancers who attempt to take payments off-platform.
📌 Real Buyer Case Study – How This Scam Happens
Case: Ahmed, a buyer, needed a logo and found a freelancer on Gig.tn. The freelancer offered to do the job for 50DNT instead of 70DNT, but only if Ahmed paid via PayPal. Thinking he was getting a good deal, Ahmed agreed.
💀 What Happened?
The freelancer took the payment and stopped responding.
PayPal wouldn’t refund Ahmed because it was sent as “Friends & Family.”
Gig.tn couldn’t help because the payment didn’t go through the platform.
Ahmed lost 50 DNT with no way to recover it.
🚀 Lesson: Never agree to off-platform payments—Gig.tn's escrow system exists for a reason.
🛡️ How Gig.tn Handles Off-Platform Payment Fraud
At Gig.tn, we take off-platform payment fraud seriously. Any freelancer who tries to bypass our payment system is violating our Terms of Service and will be:
✔ Warned or immediately banned from the platform.
✔ Blocked from receiving new orders.
✔ Reported to buyers to prevent further scams.
To maintain a safe and trustworthy marketplace, we urge all users to report any freelancer who tries this scam.
📢 Stay Safe & Keep Payments Inside Gig.tn
🔹 NEVER send money outside Gig.tn.
🔹 ALWAYS use the escrow system to protect your funds.
🔹 If a freelancer asks for off-platform payment, REPORT THEM immediately.
🔹 If a deal sounds “too good to be true,” it probably is.
By following these simple rules, you will keep your money and projects safe on Gig.tn.