User Safety & Security
Helios Help Center
Avoiding Scams and Fraud
Helios is a platform built on trust. While Helios works actively to detect and prevent fraudulent activity, users play an important role in protecting themselves and the community. This article covers the most common scam and fraud patterns on B2B platforms, the red flags to watch for, and how Helios helps protect members.
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⚠️Common Scam and Fraud Patterns
Off-Platform Payment Requests
One of the most common fraud patterns is a request to pay or be paid outside of the Helios platform via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card, or a direct payment link sent through messaging. Legitimate engagements on Helios are processed through Stripe within the platform. Any request to move payment off-platform should be treated as a serious red flag.
Fake or Impersonated Profiles
Fraudulent users sometimes create profiles that impersonate legitimate businesses, well-known experts, or established brands to build false credibility. Always verify that a profile is complete, consistent, and matches the claimed identity before entering into an engagement.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
Unrealistically low pricing, unusually fast turnaround promises, or requests for large upfront payments for unverified work are common indicators of fraudulent listings or expert profiles.
Phishing Links and Malicious Files
Some fraudulent users attempt to send links to fake login pages or files containing malicious code disguised as proposals, contracts, or technical documentation. Do not click links from users you do not know and trust, and be cautious about opening file attachments sent through messaging.
Credential or Identity Fraud
Experts or service providers who misrepresent their qualifications, certifications, company affiliations, or past work experience to win engagements are engaging in credential fraud. This can result in poor outcomes, liability, and harm to your business.
Advance Fee Fraud
A user asks you to pay a fee, deposit, or advance payment before work begins and then disappears or fails to deliver. Always use Helios's built-in payment and milestone tools, which hold funds until work is reviewed and accepted.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
Be on the lookout for the following warning signs:
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A user asks you to communicate or pay outside of Helios immediately
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A profile has no reviews, no completed engagements, and little or no profile information
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A listing offers significantly below-market pricing for complex or specialized work
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You receive unsolicited messages with links, attachments, or offers you did not request
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A user pressures you to act quickly or make a decision without time to review
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Credentials, company names, or work samples cannot be verified or seem inconsistent
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You are asked to send payment to a personal account, cryptocurrency wallet, or gift card
🛡️ How Helios Protects Members
Stripe-powered payments
All financial transactions are processed through Stripe, reducing exposure to direct payment fraud
Held funds
Payments are held pending review and completion, protecting both businesses and experts
Verification standards
Helios applies verification and eligibility standards to experts, vendors, and sellers on the platform
Trust and Safety review
The Helios Trust and Safety team reviews reports of suspected fraud and takes enforcement action when violations are confirmed
Dispute support
Helios provides a dispute process to assist users when engagements do not go as expected
🚨 What to Do If You Suspect Fraud
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Do not send any payment, files, or personal information to the suspected user.
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Report the user or listing immediately using the in-platform report function.
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If you have already sent a payment or shared sensitive information, contact Helios through the Ideas & Feedback form as soon as possible.
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If you believe you have been the victim of a crime, contact your local law enforcement authority.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever acceptable to pay an expert outside of Helios?
No. All payments for Helios engagements should be processed through the platform. Off-platform payments are not covered by Helios dispute support, held-fund protections, or Stripe payment security.
What if an expert or business I am working with asks me to communicate on another app?
Moving all communication off-platform early in an engagement is a common fraud indicator. Helios recommends keeping all communication, agreements, and file sharing within the platform throughout the engagement.
I think I clicked a malicious link. What should I do?
Change your Helios password immediately. Contact Helios through the Ideas & Feedback form and report the user who sent the link.
How can I verify that an expert's credentials are legitimate?
Review their profile carefully for consistency, check their work samples, look for completed engagement reviews, and ask specific questions about their experience during the pre-engagement conversation. If credentials seem inconsistent or unverifiable, proceed with caution.
💡 Tips
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Keep all communication, file sharing, and payments inside Helios throughout your engagement. This protects you if a dispute or concern arises.
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If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. Take time to verify profiles, credentials, and reviews before committing to an engagement.
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Never click links or open file attachments from users you have not established a verified working relationship with on the platform.
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Enable Two-Factor Authentication on your Helios account to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
