[Shelley_c]

Whenever (and I'm sure Dean C) mentioned this is get a landline number from anyone who you are thinking of hiring. Get their address and Nat Insurance number (companies require this why not you). You have all their credentials it's amazing how much information you have at your disposal when things go pear shaped. You then have more leverage to pursue this further.

Personally, I wouldn't hire anyone here. And although I would never admit it I did take one job on here which resulted in me showing a screenshot of the graphics I did and the person cropped them and used them on their board (Not going to mention names). I'm not worried about it, because soon after, I released these images to the public because I thought, well, you are not going to have exclusive rights but it's a lesson learned or in my case a lesson reminded that trust is earned not given freely to anyone.

FYI - (Generally speaking) References don't protect you from being scammed. You could quote scriptures all day long and this alone would not protect you. Go out your way and do background checks on the person. They have 1 post? and they are taking on work? be cautious. They could have easily created another account because their old account is known to the community for scamming activities.

@ Lasto - I know you were scammed and I do partially feel for you. So, go to a more reputable place where the repercussions to scamming are dealt with more severely and the person your given work to knows that there's consequences. Your hard earned money shouldn't be thrown away even though it's only paper it's your time and hard graft which earned you it and that's the way I look at it.

Anyway, I'm sure your sick of people advising you on what to do as much as I'm sick of typing my 2 pence worth so be carefull.

PS. Just noticed your suspended. Wait till you get back for having me type this long rambling reply. Your in trouble.