Fiverr itself is not a scam, but scammers do try to use it. The most common Fiverr scams are requests to pay or chat outside Fiverr, phishing links pretending to be Fiverr support, stolen or template portfolios, and gigs with suspicious reviews. Keep all payment and communication on Fiverr and you are protected by the platform.
Fiverr holds your payment until you accept the delivery, which removes most risk. Scams happen when someone convinces you to step outside that system. Here are the patterns we see most often, from the seller side.
7 common Fiverr scams
1. "Let’s continue on WhatsApp or email"
A seller or fake buyer asks to move the conversation off Fiverr. Once you are off-platform, Fiverr cannot protect you or see what was agreed.
2. Paying outside Fiverr
Requests to pay by bank transfer, crypto or a "discounted" direct payment. Paying outside Fiverr breaks the terms of service and removes every form of protection.
3. Fake Fiverr support messages
Messages or emails that claim to be from Fiverr and ask you to log in through a link, confirm card details or pay a "verification fee". Fiverr support does not ask for your password.
4. Stolen or template portfolios
Portfolio images copied from other designers or premium templates sold as custom work. A reverse image search usually reveals them.
5. Suspicious reviews
Many short, generic five-star reviews in a short period, or reviews that do not match the gig. Read several reviews and look for specific details.
6. Prices that are too good to be true
A full custom website for $50 is not a custom website. Extremely low prices often mean templates, AI output sold as hand-made work or missing source files.
7. Malicious files
Unexpected attachments such as executables or password-protected archives from someone you did not order from. Do not open them.
How to stay safe on Fiverr
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Keep chat and payment on Fiverr | Move to WhatsApp, email or direct payment |
| Read reviews on the exact gig | Trust profile totals alone |
| Check portfolios with a reverse image search | Assume every portfolio image is original |
| Use the Resolution Center for problems | File a chargeback with your bank first |
| Report suspicious messages to Fiverr | Click login links in unexpected messages |
What to do if something goes wrong
For an active order, use the Resolution Center on the order page to ask for a cancellation. If the order is already completed, contact Fiverr Customer Support. We explain the steps in how to get a refund on Fiverr.