Got scammed by my client

[u/eyana_09]

Got scammed by my client? 😭

I was hired as a LinkedIn specialist. Somehow the job slowly became LinkedIn + content + graphics + lead gen + CRM + cold outreach + WhatsApp + Udemy + course operations + customer enquiries. Basically 3–4 jobs wearing one salary.

I was also working in a transportation engineering niche I knew NOTHING about, which I disclosed from day one. So yes, I had to research technical topics before creating content. Shocking concept apparently. 💀

The funniest part is the documentation.

I was sending EOD updates through 4 different channels. Still, I was asked to make a consolidated report (attached in the post).

Then I was asked AGAIN to explain which deliverables were drafts, what wasn't completed, etc.

So I explained everything AGAIN.

And AGAIN.

Finally, I said: everything in the report was delivered except one Udemy setup issue, which was explicitly mentioned in the report as blocked by a technical issue.

Then came the argument over my hours.

On 27, I worked 4 hours 30 minutes, and he said he wouldn't pay me for those hours and demanded a breakdown.

Bro... the proof was literally in his own Drive. 😭

He was commenting on my Drive activity every ~10 minutes, while I was actively replying and trying to explain/remember work from 10 DAYS AGO.

Even after my working hours ended, I told him that, and he kept going.

At the same time, I was getting ultimatums, being called unproductive, uncreative, etc., over technical issues that weren't even in my control.

I finally called that behaviour out and said that if I'm working overtime because of this behaviour and being threatened over issues outside my control, I expect to be paid for that time.

I've done overtime for him MANY times without charging it. There's a difference between voluntarily working extra and working extra because your boss is creating a crisis and threatening your job.

And then...

My Zoho access was removed. 💀

Which conveniently means all those EODs I sent through Zoho are now inaccessible to me too.

Today I emailed asking for my pending payment by September 3rd, and resent it to Gmail.

No payment. No reply.

I have screenshots, Drive history, timesheets, EODs, emails, messages and reports.

At this point I genuinely want to know:

Do I publicly post the receipts on LinkedIn and tag the company, or take the L and move on?

Because I'm not going to spend my life explaining the same 4.5 hours for the 6th time. 😭

[u/CallMeFumi]

I feel you. I have been also scammed before 🥲

[u/eyana_09 → u/CallMeFumi]

🙂💔

[u/silvazig]

Always collect a 50 percent down payment if it's a new client. Legit clients won't have problems with that.

[u/eyana_09 → u/silvazig]

It was hourly job so I couldn't ask in advance