Staying Safe on Opengates

Working online as a freelancer or hiring freelancers through a marketplace can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with risks. Scammers, fraudsters, and bad actors exist on every platform, and knowing how to recognize and avoid them is essential for protecting yourself, your money, and your personal information.

This guide provides practical, actionable tips for staying safe on Opengates. Whether you're a first-time user or a seasoned professional, these guidelines will help you navigate the platform with confidence.

Protecting Your Account

Your Opengates account is your gateway to the platform. If someone gains unauthorized access to it, they could impersonate you, steal your earnings, or damage your reputation. Here's how to keep your account secure:

Use a Strong Password

Your password should be:

• At least 12 characters long: Longer passwords are significantly harder to crack.
• A mix of character types: Include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g., !@#$%^&*).
• Unique to Opengates: Don't reuse passwords from other websites or services. If one of those services is compromised, attackers will try those same credentials on other platforms.
• Not based on personal information: Avoid using your name, birthday, pet's name, or other information that could be guessed or found on social media.

Consider using a password manager (such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass) to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security beyond your password. Even if someone steals your password, they won't be able to access your account without the second factor.

Opengates supports multiple 2FA methods:

• Authenticator app (recommended): Use an app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy to generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP).
• Passkeys: Use biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition) or a hardware security key for passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication.
• SMS codes: Receive a verification code via text message. While better than no 2FA, this method is less secure than authenticator apps due to SIM-swapping risks.

To enable 2FA, go to Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication and follow the setup instructions.

Never Share Your Login Credentials

This cannot be stressed enough: never share your password, 2FA codes, or passkeys with anyone. This includes:

• Other users on the platform.
• Anyone claiming to be from Opengates support (our support team will never ask for your password or 2FA codes).
• Friends or family members.
• Anyone in a message, email, or phone call.

If someone asks for your login credentials, it's a scam — no exceptions.

Log Out on Shared Devices

If you use Opengates on a shared or public computer (such as at a library, coworking space, or internet café), always log out when you're done. Don't select "Remember me" or save your password in the browser on shared devices.

Recognizing Scams

Scammers use a variety of tactics to exploit freelancers and clients. Learning to recognize these tactics is your best defense.

Common Freelancing Scams

The "Pay Upfront" Scam

How it works: A "client" posts a job and hires you, then asks you to purchase software, equipment, or materials upfront with a promise to reimburse you later. They may send you a check that bounces after you've already spent the money.

How to avoid it: Legitimate clients don't ask freelancers to spend their own money on tools or materials. If a client insists you purchase something before starting work, it's a red flag.

The "Test Task" Scam

How it works: A "client" asks you to complete a substantial piece of work as a "test" or "trial" before hiring you — but never actually hires you. They get free work.

How to avoid it: Small test tasks are reasonable, but they should be paid. If someone asks for hours of unpaid work as a "test," decline. Offer to do a small, paid sample instead.

The Overpayment Scam

How it works: A "client" sends you more money than the agreed amount and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment turns out to be fraudulent and is reversed, leaving you out of pocket.

How to avoid it: Never refund money to someone who "accidentally" overpaid you. If you receive an overpayment, contact Opengates support rather than sending money back directly.

The Phishing Scam

How it works: You receive a message or email that looks like it's from Opengates, asking you to click a link to "verify your account," "update your payment information," or "resolve an issue." The link leads to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.

How to avoid it: Always check the sender's email address and the URL of any links before clicking. Opengates will only send official communications from verified email addresses and will never ask for your password via email. When in doubt, navigate directly to the Opengates website by typing the URL in your browser rather than clicking a link.

The Off-Platform Payment Scam

How it works: A "client" or "freelancer" asks you to handle payments outside of Opengates — via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, PayPal, gift cards, or other methods. Once you send money off-platform, there's no way for Opengates to help you recover it.

How to avoid it: Always use Opengates' built-in payment system. The escrow system protects both parties. Anyone who insists on off-platform payments is likely trying to scam you.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be on alert if someone:

• Offers a rate that seems too good to be true.
• Refuses to communicate through the Opengates platform.
• Pressures you to act quickly or creates a false sense of urgency.
• Asks for personal information (bank details, Social Security number, etc.) that isn't necessary for the work.
• Has a brand-new account with no reviews or portfolio.
• Sends unsolicited job offers or investment opportunities.
• Asks you to click on links to external websites.
• Insists on paying you through methods outside of Opengates.

Using Escrow: Don't Pay Outside the Platform

Opengates' escrow system is one of the most important safety features available to you. Here's how it works:

1. Client funds the contract: When a contract is created, the client deposits the payment into escrow. The money is held securely by Opengates.
2. Freelancer completes the work: The freelancer delivers the work as agreed.
3. Client approves and releases payment: Once the client is satisfied with the work, they release the payment from escrow to the freelancer.
4. Dispute resolution: If there's a disagreement, either party can open a dispute, and Opengates' dispute resolution team will mediate.

Why Escrow Matters

• For freelancers: You know the money is there before you start working. No more worrying about clients disappearing after you deliver the work.
• For clients: Your money is only released when you're satisfied with the deliverable. If the work isn't what you agreed on, you have recourse through the dispute process.

Never Pay or Accept Payment Outside Opengates

If someone asks you to pay or receive payment outside of the platform, refuse. Off-platform payments bypass all of Opengates' protections:

• No escrow to hold funds securely.
• No dispute resolution if something goes wrong.
• No transaction record for your protection.
• Opengates cannot help you recover money sent outside the platform.

Spotting Fake Profiles

Fake profiles are used by scammers to appear legitimate. Here's how to spot them:

Signs of a Fake Profile

• Stock photos or stolen images: The profile photo looks like a stock photo or doesn't match the person's claimed identity. You can use a reverse image search (Google Images) to check.
• Vague or generic descriptions: The profile bio is generic, uses poor grammar, or sounds like it was copy-pasted.
• No portfolio or work samples: Legitimate freelancers typically have a portfolio showcasing their work.
• No reviews or feedback: While new users won't have reviews, be cautious of accounts that have been active for a while but still have zero feedback.
• Inconsistent information: The profile claims expertise in one area but their portfolio or work history doesn't match.
• Too-good-to-be-true rates: Extremely low rates may indicate a scammer trying to attract clients before disappearing with the initial payment.

How to Verify a Profile

• Check their verification badge: Verified users have completed identity or organization verification through Opengates. A verification badge is a strong indicator of legitimacy.
• Read their reviews: Look at reviews from other users to get a sense of their reputation and work quality.
• Check their activity history: Users with a track record of completed contracts and active engagement are more likely to be legitimate.
• Start with a small project: If you're unsure about a new user, start with a small, low-risk project before committing to a larger engagement.

What to Do If You Feel Unsafe

If you feel unsafe at any point while using Opengates, take these steps immediately:

1. Block the User

If someone is making you uncomfortable, threatening you, or engaging in any behavior that feels unsafe:

1. Go to the user's profile or the conversation with them.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) or More Options.
3. Select Block User.
4. The user will no longer be able to contact you.

2. Report the Behavior

After blocking, file a report:

1. Go to the user's profile, the message, or the content that's concerning.
2. Select Report.
3. Choose the appropriate reason and provide as much detail as possible.
4. Include screenshots if available.

See our Reporting Content guide for detailed instructions.

3. Contact Opengates Support

For urgent situations, contact our support team directly:

• Use the Help or Support option in the app or website.
• Explain the situation clearly and mention that it's a safety concern.
• Our team prioritizes safety-related reports and will respond as quickly as possible.

4. Preserve Evidence

Don't delete messages, conversations, or any other evidence. Our support and Trust & Safety teams may need to review this information to take appropriate action.

5. Contact Law Enforcement If Necessary

If you believe you are in immediate physical danger or if someone is making credible threats of violence, contact your local law enforcement immediately. Opengates will cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations related to user safety.

General Safety Best Practices

• Keep all business communication on the platform: This creates a record and keeps you protected.
• Never share personal contact information (phone number, personal email, home address) unless absolutely necessary and only through secure channels.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Don't ignore gut feelings about a user or situation.
• Verify before you trust: Check profiles, reviews, and verification badges before committing to a contract.
• Start small: When working with a new client or freelancer for the first time, start with a small project to build trust.
• Keep your software updated: Use the latest version of the Opengates app and keep your device's operating system up to date to benefit from the latest security patches.
• Use secure networks: Avoid conducting business on public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks. If you must, use a VPN.

Still need help? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to assist you.