UpGuardian: AI-Powered Upwork Job Scam Detector

UpGuardian is the essential Chrome extension for Upwork freelancers who want to protect their time, reputation, and career from increasingly sophisticated scam, fake, dead-end or bogus jobs. Our AI-powered technology scans job listings in real-time to identify red flags before you waste time applying.

🛡️ How UpGuardian Protects You:

Instant Red Flag Detection: Analyses job descriptions, client details, and payment terms to identify suspicious patterns that human eyes might miss
Risk Assessment Scoring: Provides a clear risk level for each job with detailed explanations of specific warning signs
Seamless Upwork Integration: Works directly on job listing pages without disrupting your workflow
Time-Saving Protection: Stop wasting hours on fake opportunities and focus your efforts on legitimate, high-quality clients


⚡ Perfect For:

New freelancers vulnerable to common Upwork scams
Experienced professionals who want an extra layer of security
Anyone who has previously fallen victim to a scam job
Busy freelancers who want to streamline their job application process


🔍What UpGuardian Detects:

Vague descriptions – Lack of job details or expectations.
"Too good to be true" offers – High pay for simple tasks.
Low hire rate – Clients who post often but rarely hire.
New client account – No history can indicate risk.
Unverified payment/phone – Major warning sign unless later verified.
50+ proposals – Lowers hiring chances significantly.
Requests for personal info – Contact before hiring is against Upwork rules.
Free work requests – Asking for unpaid samples is a common scam.
Inconsistent pay history – Sudden high rates from low-paying clients.
Unrealistic expectations – Tight deadlines or low pay for high-skill work.
Copy-paste descriptions – Generic job posts could be spam.
Poor English – May indicate scams or unprofessional clients.
Urgent but vague jobs – Extreme urgency without clear scope.
Outside communication – Telegram, WhatsApp, etc., before hiring is a red flag.
Requests for account access – Login, bank, or other sensitive info requests.
Unusual job categories – Cash handling, crypto transactions, reshipping, etc.
Buzzwords ("Easy money," "No skills needed") – Used to lure beginners into scams.
Off-platform payment – Avoids Upwork fees and may lead to fraud.
Unclear milestones/payment – No defined deliverables or payment terms.
Fake entry-level jobs – "Beginner-friendly" but requires 5+ years of experience.
Revenue share/pay later – Promises of future payment are risky.
Excessive test work – Short samples are okay; too much unpaid work is a red flag.
Too many invites – A large number of invited freelancers may lower your chances.
Single invite – If only one freelancer is invited, they are likely already chosen.


Start with a free trial including 10 job scans, no credit card required. Navigate to any Upwork job and click the "Scan for Potential Red Flags" button to instantly analyse the listing for scam indicators.

Protect your freelance business today - because your time and reputation are worth defending.