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Ever read anything written under the byline "Chump"? Neither has anyone else! Unfortunately, too many internet freelancers may unknowingly be writing under that very pseudonym.

The internet is for some a veritable Land of Oz where far-away places and sites unbeheld unfold with the click of a mouse. Like Oz it lends magic to the real world: jets and automobiles are no longer necessary to shop, meet people, or seek gainful employment; skies are always blue from the gasoline it saves. However, unlike Oz, it may more difficult to tell when an unfriendly forest encroaches upon the yellow brick road.

Freelance job boards pair writing talent with publishers and other employers via classified listings. While these sites are legitimate, as are most of their posting entities, writers beware! The sheer volume of ads makes it impossible and inefficient to perform a background check on the source of every listing. Each related home page presents a flourish of self-accolades noting the number of opportunities available and successful matches which have occurred to date. Perhaps a better home page might be a weather-worn sign that reads, "Unfriendly forest. Enter at own risk!"

In the shadows lurk talking trees that nearly sound like publishers, waiting to snatch original work right from under its copyright. Worse, they do so without payment. Anyone can create a working, but untraceable email account. Anyone can profess business dealings or stature via a cell phone purchased with no contract nor registration.

As scary as the trees may seem, by far the most treacherous creatures in the forest are the identity-stealing flying monkeys! Their mode of operation is similar to the trees. What varies is their motive. The monkeys are not concerned with the work itself and are long gone by the time it is actually produced. Their interest is served once the writer has provided personal financial information under the guise of receiving compensation.

Short of missing out on the employment resources offered by the internet, practical methods exist to help writers prevent being victimized:

1. Learn to be a small-scale private detective.

-Using a simple reverse lookup for a business's phone listing will tell much about a
prospective job poster's legitimacy. This is free through any white pages or similar
phone directory found on the internet. Visibility is the key to success. Bear in mind
that businesses want to advertise. Most have listed and obtainable contact numbers.

-Long distance information

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