Ban on Upwork. Reasons.
Just unbanned one of my clients.
People keep asking why you can be banned from Upwork. I already wrote an article here about what you can't do but let's summarise the main reasons.
Using VPN, anonymisers
Upwork tracks IP addresses and locations. Sudden changes or "masked" locations flag your account for a manual review. Worst case: You get flagged for suspicious activity, asked to verify your identity, or permanently suspended.
What to do instead: If you’re traveling, notify Upwork through support in advance (or at least after logging in from a new country). OR don't take Upwork anywhere while travelling.
Log into the same profile in parallel.
If your account is logged in simultaneously from different IPs (or devices), the system detects "account sharing" or potential hacking. Of course, you understand that it's strange and it could happen only if you shared the credentials and it's not for the rules.
Give credentials to your sales manager just to edit/bid.
Upwork strictly prohibits sharing login information with anyone - even if it’s "just for bidding" or "editing a profile". Permanent account suspension for both could be a result. What to do instead: Invite your sales manager as an agency member (non-exclusive if needed) and give them official access as Business manager OR use Remote Desktop or Team Viewer.
Taking hourly contracts on a profile that won't really perform it.
It’s considered misrepresentation and fraud if someone else performs the job under your name, especially on hourly contracts (which rely on Work Diary tracking). It also can lead to a dispute, ban, also your full agency re-verification. Let me be honest, only fixed price contracts through Agency will work safely.
Log more than 88 hours per week on the same profile.
Upwork assumes a human can't work that much productively. It looks suspicious and triggers audits.Keep realistic time logs. If you have that much work, split it across agency members.
Send/share contact information before the contract starts.
Sharing your email, phone number, Telegram, or any other external contact info violates Upwork’s communication policy. As well as you may know, they will decide you are trying to get out of the Upwork by doing that.
Hugs,
Tamara
Coffee for me here
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