About to send a deposit to a developer in another country for a project. What would you guys check before wiring money? I've done some basic vetting but I'm paranoid about losing cash.
Payments
Things I'd check before paying an overseas contractor
Check if their name matches the bank account. That's saved me before.
Video call. Not just chat. Make sure the person you're talking to is the one on the contract. I once got a 'team lead' who turned out to be a sales guy.
Escrow or milestone payments. Never 100% upfront unless you enjoy gambling.
Get a local address and phone number. Then Google Maps it. If it's a apartment building wiyth 50 other 'agencies' listed, run.
Also check their portfolio for work that actually matches what you need. I've seen people send generic templates.
Whoa whoa, slow down. You all are giving out good advice but OP didn't even say what country. Different risks for different places. Also, have you signed a contract? That's the bare minimum.
Fair point. It's a frelancer in Eastern Europe. Contract is drafted but not signed yet. I'll ask for a video call and milestone payments. Thanks.
Eastern Europe? Then definitely check if they can receive USD or if you need to use a service like Wise. Bank fees can eat you alive.
And don't forget to check their tax registration number or whatever the loacl equivalent is. If they can't provide it, that's a red flag.
Honestly, just use Upwork or something similar. You pay a bit more but you get some protection. Unless you're saving a ton, not worth the headache.