How to Avoid Scams When Hiring Essay Help
Understanding the Risks of Essay Help Services
When facing tight deadlines and complex assignments, many students turn to online essay writing services for help. However, distinguishing legitimate services from scams can be challenging. According to a study by the International Center for Academic Integrity, over 68% of college students admit to seeking some form of outside writing assistance, making this a lucrative market for potential scammers.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that students lose millions of dollars annually to fraudulent academic services. These scams not only waste your money but can put your academic career at risk through plagiarized content or missed deadlines.
What exactly constitutes essay help fraud?
Essay help fraud occurs when a service:
- Takes payment without delivering the promised work
- Delivers plagiarized content
- Provides poor quality work that doesn’t meet academic standards
- Sells the same essay to multiple students
- Misrepresents their qualifications or expertise
Harvard University’s Academic Integrity Office notes that falling victim to such scams can lead to severe consequences, including course failure or even expulsion if plagiarism is detected.
Red Flags to Watch For When Choosing an Essay Service
Before hiring any essay writing service, look out for these warning signs that might indicate a scam:
Suspiciously Low Prices
If a service offers prices that seem too good to be true, they probably are. Quality academic writing requires time and expertise, which comes at a reasonable cost.
| Price Range (per page) | What It Might Indicate |
|---|---|
| $3-10 | Likely a scam or plagiarized work |
| $15-25 | May be legitimate but verify credentials |
| $25-50 | More likely to be professional service |
Lack of Clear Policies and Guarantees
Legitimate services provide transparent:
- Revision policies
- Refund procedures
- Plagiarism-free guarantees
- Privacy protections
According to the Better Business Bureau, vague or missing policies are among the top indicators of potentially fraudulent academic services.
Poor Communication Channels
Legitimate writing services maintain multiple, responsive communication channels. Be wary if:
- They only offer a contact form without direct communication options
- Representatives are consistently unavailable
- Messages go unanswered for extended periods
- The company has no physical address or clear location information
No Sample Work or Portfolio
Reputable services are proud to showcase their work quality. Columbia University’s Writing Center recommends asking for samples that match your academic level before committing to any service.
How to Verify the Legitimacy of Essay Writing Services
Check Independent Review Sites
Don’t rely solely on testimonials posted on the service’s website. Instead:
- Look for reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot or SiteJabber
- Search for the company name along with terms like “scam,” “fraud,” or “complaint”
- Check if they’re registered with the Better Business Bureau
- Look for patterns in negative reviews, not just isolated complaints
Assess Their Website Professionalism
Professional writing services invest in their online presence:
- Look for comprehensive “About Us” sections with team credentials
- Check for secure payment methods (look for HTTPS and recognized payment processors)
- Verify that their contact information is complete
- Evaluate the quality of writing on their own website
A study by Stanford University found that website professionalism was a reliable indicator of service legitimacy in 78% of cases.
Test Their Knowledge and Expertise
Before placing a full order:
- Ask specific questions about your topic
- Request an outline or partial sample
- Evaluate if they understand academic standards in your field
- Check if they can properly format citations in your required style
Verify Their Writers’ Credentials
| Credential Check | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Educational Background | Degrees relevant to your subject area |
| Writing Experience | Years of academic writing experience |
| Language Proficiency | Native or advanced level in required language |
| Subject Expertise | Knowledge of specific course content |
The University of Michigan’s Academic Integrity Office recommends directly asking about writer qualifications and being wary of services that can’t or won’t provide this information.
Protecting Your Personal and Financial Information
Use Secure Payment Methods
When paying for essay services, protect yourself by:
- Using credit cards rather than debit cards (better fraud protection)
- Considering secure payment platforms like PayPal that offer buyer protection
- Never sending cash, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Checking for secure payment processing (look for HTTPS and security icons)
Guard Your Personal Data
Identity theft is a real concern when sharing information online:
- Provide only the information necessary for the service
- Be cautious about sharing student ID numbers or university login credentials
- Check the privacy policy to understand how your data will be used
- Use a separate email address specifically for these services
Document All Interactions
Keep records of:
- All communication with the service
- Payment receipts
- Order details and promises made
- Terms and conditions at the time of purchase
The Federal Trade Commission recommends maintaining detailed records for at least one year after any online transaction to help resolve potential disputes.
Legitimate Alternatives to Paid Essay Services
If you’re concerned about potential scams, consider these alternatives:
• University Writing Centers: Free, legitimate help from qualified tutors
• Peer Review Groups: Collaborate with classmates to improve each other’s work
• Academic Advisors: Many can provide guidance or extensions if you’re struggling
• Online Learning Resources: Sites like Purdue OWL offer free writing guidance
• Time Management Tools: Apps like Trello or Notion can help you organize your work
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal services offer transparent policies, reasonable prices, clear communication, and original work. However, even with legal services, submitting purchased work as your own may violate academic integrity policies at your institution.
Document everything, contact your bank to dispute charges, report the company to consumer protection agencies like the FTC, and leave reviews warning others.
Share only what’s necessary and avoid including personal identifiers. Reputable services have confidentiality agreements and won’t share your information.
No legitimate service can guarantee a specific grade, as this depends on your professor’s criteria and standards. Be skeptical of any service making such promises.