Key takeaways
How to avoid foreign client payment fraud
Why this matters for Indian freelancers
What foreign client payment fraud looks like
Red flags before you start
Red flags during payment
Red flags after delivery
Verification steps, do this first
Identity and business verification
Engagement verification
Payment verification
Compliance for Indian freelancers
Payment terms that protect you
Deposits and milestones
Method and currency
Timelines and confirmation
Scope and change management
Legal, chargeback protection
Escrow, when to use it and how
When to use escrow
How escrow works
Escrow options
Practical setup
Invoicing and documentation essentials
Detailed invoices
Keep all artifacts
India specific documentation
Secure payment collection methods
Safer collection practices
Solutions for receiving international payments
Karbon Business offers virtual accounts in USD, GBP, EUR, and CAD with local rails like ACH, SEPA, or FPS equivalents, INR settlement in 24 to 48 hours, automatic e‑FIRA for each remittance, AML and fraud monitoring, and fast support with a target under 20 minutes, you can hold foreign currency for up to 60 days before conversion for dispute checks or FX flexibility.
Other options include Wise Business, Payoneer, PayPal, RazorpayX International, Tazapay, OFX, WorldFirst, and Revolut Business, the best choice depends on your client locations and volumes, for industry context, see how cross border payment fraud is being tackled.
Delivery safeguards
Stage your deliverables
Control code and credentials
Maintain acceptance logs
If you spot fraud signs mid project
Pause and verify
Change payment method
Document and escalate
If funds are reversed or chargebacked
Indian freelancer case study
Quick checklist, copy and paste
FAQ
ACH, SEPA, FPS versus cards, for big invoices which is safer for freelancers in India?
Client bole, contract ka kya zaroori hai, bina sign ke kaam start kar sakte hai?
e‑FIRA kya hota hai, aur Indian freelancers ko kyun chahiye?
Karbon Business se USD, EUR, GBP receive karke INR me settle kitna time lagta hai?
Client card se pay karna chahta hai, chargeback risk kaise handle kare?
New foreign client ko verify kaise kare, quick steps batao?
Agar client overpay karke refund mang raha hai, kya karna chahiye?
Compliance hold aaya, payment stuck hai, kya documents dene chahiye?
International platform fees kaise manage kare, client ko pass on kar sakte hai?
Partial chargeback aaye to kya evidence bhejna chahiye?
Escrow kab use karna best hota hai, aur setup kaise kare?
Kya main USD hold karke baad me INR convert kar sakta hu, FX rate better hone ka wait karne ke liye?
Written by
Swati Saraf
