Hiring a scopist or proofreader isn’t just a simple delegation task. It’s entrusting someone with highly sensitive material: medical details, Social Security numbers, and legal testimony.
Your name is on the transcript. Your professional reputation is on the line. And yet, many reporters are still using the same old method:
Posting in a Facebook group, receiving a message, swapping a rate sheet and preference sheet, and hoping it’ll all work out.
That used to be enough. But the landscape has changed. Scammers are here.
And they’re targeting us.
Ghosted by a Scopist? You’re Not Alone.
You’re running behind. You post in a Facebook group. Someone responds with a kind message, offering help. They seem like a real person. They’ve got a rate sheet. They’re available. You take the leap.
You send the file over and then…nothing. No update. Obviously, no delivery. Not even a peep.
In one Facebook thread warning about a scammer who ghosted mid-job, a commenter captured the frustration many of us have felt:
“That’s horrible! I don’t get it. What do they gain by doing this? We don’t prepay them. What are they disappearing with? Our faith in humanity?”
It may not cost you money up front, but it still costs you. Your time, peace of mind, and potentially even your witness’s Social Security number…
That’s enough to make any reporter feel quite queasy when you stop to think about.
This Isn’t a One-Off. It’s a Pattern.
We’ve seen it happen again and again when hiring scopists and proofreaders. And again. And again. And again.
The same scammer appears under different names, sometimes using stock-like profile photos, common-sounding names, and cut-and-paste bios. Everything looks legitimate on the surface. But underneath? It’s the same person, recycling identities and targeting busy reporters.
And there’s not just one out there. There are many, and the number is growing.
Are you livid yet? We are.
And because these exchanges happen on platforms with no accountability — like Facebook — there’s no system to prevent it from happening again.
And again.
And again.
According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission, impersonation scams are on the rise, especially in freelance job markets where personal data is shared and vetting is minimal.
Read that AGAIN.
Transparency Changes Everything
When Stenovate introduced geolocation visibility, it wasn’t to exclude anyone outside the U.S. (and it doesn’t). It was designed to stop anyone from falsely claiming they’re in America and to give reporters critical context before hiring scopists and proofreaders.
But location alone isn’t enough.
That’s why we’ve officially added Identity Verification, a secure process that empowers Stenovate members to verify their identity using a government-issued ID.
When you see the green badge, you know.
This is a real person.
And every Stenovate profile includes multiple trust signals that you should absolutely consider before collaborating with someone new.
- Professional Bio – Get a feel for their background, training, and personality through a thoughtfully written summary that showcases their professional journey and unique strengths.
- Uploaded Rate Sheet – Evaluate their attention to detail and professionalism through a polished rate sheet that clearly outlines pricing and expectations, helping you avoid surprises and streamline the hiring and collaboration process.
- Country Location – Understand where your potential collaborator is physically based to gauge time zone compatibility, communication expectations, and potential workflow overlap.
- Identity Verification – Rest assured knowing the member has passed Stenovate’s verification process, offering proof that they are who they claim to be, building trust from the start.
- Ratings and Reviews – Stenovate collaborators have accumulated OVER 800 ratings and reviews. Browse real feedback from other professionals they’ve worked with, providing insight into their reliability, work quality, and overall collaboration experience.
Each of these features is useful on its own, but together they provide the full context you need to make faster, safer, and smarter hiring decisions.
The Stenovate Small Team Difference: Trust Built In
Behind every verified badge and professional profile is something you don’t see: Stenovate’s internal safety net.
While other platforms stop at surface-level features, Stenovate’s small support team is constantly monitoring what’s happening beneath the surface to protect our users and preserve platform integrity. In fact, we’ve built an entire internal system for flagging, reviewing, escalating, and taking action when needed.
Here’s how:
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We flag patterns that don’t add up like duplicate accounts with similar names, reused credit cards, and login activity that don’t seem to match claimed identities.
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We monitor failed identity verification attempts, and accounts that hit a certain threshold are restricted or removed.
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We investigate user reports thoroughly. Even one concern can trigger an internal review, and repeated or verified issues result in permanent removal.
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We don’t wait for things to go wrong. We actively audit new signups, review suspicious behavior, and take action before others even notice there could be a potential problem.
And when you reach out with a concern? We listen. A real person from our small team will review it. Every. Time.
Still, no system is totally foolproof. No platform can protect you if you ignore the red flags.
That’s why the final layer of protection is you.
Use the tools.
Review the professional profiles.
Look for the green badge.
And please — for the love of the Steno Gods, stop hiring strangers off Facebook.
Because when you take full advantage of everything Stenovate offers, you’re not just avoiding scammers and a massive headache. You’re protecting yourself as well as the attorneys you work for and the people whose stories you’re trusted to capture.
Hiring Is Just the Beginning
Obviously, finding quality, realiable help is important. But working well together — that’s what makes or breaks the job.
Stenovate isn’t just a place for hiring scopists and proofreaders. It’s a full project management system built for transcript professionals who need to move fast, stay organized, and deliver quality on deadline.
Once a job is assigned, everything happens in one clean, secure workspace:
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Upload audio, exhibits, and preference sheets. No more scattered file links.
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Set deadlines and track progress so everyone stays on the same page (pun intended)!
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Chat and leave comments in real time right where the work is happening.
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Loop in multiple teammates and manage the whole team from one hub.
No more juggling Dropbox folders, buried emails, or wondering where transcripts are.
Just smooth collaboration from start to finish.
Make Verified Hiring Your New Standard at No Additional Cost
We deeply believe verified hiring is no longer a luxury. It’s the new baseline for working safely and professionally.
That’s why Stenovate includes this premium feature in your regular subscription and covers the full cost of identity verification — every attempt, whether passed or failed — so you can hire confidently without paying a penny more.
You shouldn’t have to guess who’s hiding behind a name on a screen. You shouldn’t have to chase down transcripts from strangers. And you definitely shouldn’t have to worry about scammers accessing your case materials and sensitive work product.
With Stenovate, you don’t have to.
✅ If you’re a reporter: Hire only verified scopists and proofreaders, and verify your own profile, too!
✅ If you’re a teammate: Real professionals verify. It’s fast, easy, and free. Show you’re serious before a single word is exchanged.
Now that verified identities are officially available, why would you hire any other way?
Not a Stenovate member yet?
Easy fix. 👉 Start your 30-day free trial today and see why transcript professionals make Stenovate their one-stop, centralized transcript collaboration hub.
Need help or have questions? Check out this Identity Verification Help Article with FAQs. And, as always, feel free to reach out to us at support@stenovate.com.
