The Writing Sample Scam

A fellow posted a classified ad looking for a staff writer for his three businesses. He wanted weekly content for the websites of his three businesses, and said he would pay $600.00 a week. Overall, it was an excellent-sounding gig.

I found the ad and asked for more information. The client replied that he wanted to test my writing skills, and asked for a 500-word article covering a particular topic. What he wanted me to write about is not in my realm of expertise, so I did my research.

As part of my research I attempted to locate the website of his companies. I started with the domain name of his email address. The domain name is everything after the @ in your email address: if your email address is stevecase@aol.com, then your domain name is aol.com. Typically, the domain name corresponds with the website you are affiliated with.

The domain name for the client was not related to any of the three businesses he claimed to be involved with. Instead, it was the website for a discount freelance writer. The site claimed that he could expediently provide press releases and ads to clients for relatively low prices.

That smelled funny, so I did a little more research into the client. It turns out he had been noted by other writers for using what is apparently a common scam in the writing world. By asking for a writing sample, the client suggests he is testing your skills. In actuality, the client is another writer attempting to steal your work, or possibly sell it to another client for a relatively low price.

I'm glad I did my research before I invested too much time in the project. It's a shame, too, because the article would have been clever.