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Is Upwork a Scam?

upwork.comLegitimate Business
Risk Assessment
20%Risk Score
Low Risk

Summary

Upwork is a legitimate freelancing platform publicly traded on NASDAQ (UPWK). It connects businesses with freelancers for various services with payment protection.

Upwork is NOT a scam. It is a legitimate, publicly-traded platform. Low ratings often come from fee complaints, not fraud. Use platform payment systems for protection.

Company Information

Parent Company
Upwork Inc.
Founded
2015
Headquarters
San Francisco, CA
Stock
NASDAQ: UPWK
Employees
1,100+

Trust Indicators

Concerns

  • High service fees (up to 20%)medium[source]
  • Some fake job posts existmedium[source]
BBB Rating
A+
Trustpilot
2.1/5

💡 Recommendations

  • 1.Never pay or accept payment outside Upwork
  • 2.Check client/freelancer reviews
  • 3.Use Upwork's payment protection
  • 4.Report suspicious job posts

📚 Sources

Upwork Investor RelationsUpwork SEC FilingsNASDAQ Stock InfoBBB Business ProfileTrustpilot Reviews
Last updated: 2026-01-22

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only. Information may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Our assessments should not be the sole basis for financial, legal, or personal decisions. Always conduct your own research and due diligence.