How to keep your contact information safe on Upwork

When am I not allowed to share my contact information on Upwork?

Sharing your contact information or asking others to share contact information before a contract starts is against our Terms of Service, and may result in temporary restrictions, loss of talent badges, or permanent loss of account access.

When we say "before a contract starts," we mean before the start date on the contract or the date you accept the contract. For instance, you shouldn't share contact information in your job post, proposal, or during an interview.

What does Upwork consider contact information?

We define contact information as any means by which a client or freelancer could reach you outside of the Upwork platform. This includes:

• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Home or work addresses
• Usernames or IDs for communication tools like Skype, Telegram, Slack, WeChat, etc.
• Social media handles, such as for LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram

Are there any cases where I can share contact information before a contract is in place?

Yes, here are the exceptions:

• If you, or your client, is on an Enterprise plan, you're free to ask for and share contact information before a contract starts
   
• If you need contact information for specific legal reasons. For instance:
  • A non-disclosure agreement
  • A business license
  • Identifying information to confirm the right to do business with local authorities
  • Background checks
     
• If you need to share an email address to get access to systems so you can scope a project. Examples would be:
  • Github/Bitbucket/Gitlab or other code repositories
  • Google/Facebook or other ad analytics programs
  • Quickbooks or other bookkeeping/accounting programs
  • Cloud drive folders
  • Online e-signature programs
  • Website hosts or builders
     

Important: It's important to remember that even if it's OK to ask for contact information, you'll still need to keep all your communication on Upwork until the contract starts. If someone asks for your contact information for one of the reasons above, but then uses it to communicate with you about the job or payment, they are breaking our rules.

Can I share my contact information once a contract is in place?

Yes, you can share your contact information with your freelancer or client after a contract is in place in your contract workroom [freelancer workroom/client workroom]. Each contract has its own workroom, even if you have multiple contracts with one person.

What happens if I share my contact information with someone on Upwork before I have a contract with them?

Sharing your contact information or asking others to share contact information before a contract starts may result in temporary account restrictions, or in some cases, permanent loss of account access.

Can I share my name or my company's name before a contract?

Yes, just be careful who you're sharing them with to avoid spam or any harassment.

I worked on a website and want to share the link with a potential client, is that allowed?

Yes. Just be sure to ask the client to only contact you through Upwork until the contract starts.

I'm a client and need work done on my website. Can I share the link?

Yes. Just remind the freelancer to only contact you through Upwork until the contract starts.

Can I share contact information after a contract is closed?

Yes, you can share contact information after a contract is closed. However, future contracts should still be completed through Upwork unless you pay the Conversion Fee.