Complaint Review: Freelancer International Pty Limited

I got awarded a job to build a livescore website. I talked to the employer, he awarded me the job, created the milestone payment (300 USD) and I started working. Did everything by the book, according to their rules and recommendations.

I worked for a wee on the employer's server (via FTP) so he got the code and the working site on his server, secured. He was happy with the job I did and released the milestone payment and he also gave me a nice review, five stars. Can be seen here: https://www.freelancer.com/projects/php/Build-LiveScore-website-with-API-33683310

One day later I got notified that his payment got locked for security reasons. The reason was be cause he didn't verify his identity. I coudn't know that before starting to work for him because that's something that freelancer.com does (identity verification of users).

Then two days later, his account got closed because I couldn' find him anymore (page not found) and the money that he paid to me for the job I did got reverted. That's what freelancer.com says but inmy words that is theft.

I worked for a week, got paid, reviewed, employer was happy, then they closed his account but also took the money from me.



Blood pressure sky high, they ignored my support tickets for 4 days and in the end got connected in live chat with two of their agents: One closed my chat, the other threatened me they will close my account.

They say I agreed to TOS and they can do that. Even so, terms that allow you to work for free are abusive.