A restriction limits what your account can do. It is not always a ban.
What causes one
- Repeated late delivery without agreement
- A pattern of unresolved disputes
- Unevidenced qualification claims
- Soliciting off-platform payment
- A breach of the Academic Integrity Policy
- Suspected fraud or account compromise
What it can look like
- Reduced visibility in matching
- No new projects while existing ones continue
- Withdrawal hold pending identity or dispute resolution
- Suspension pending investigation
- Permanent closure
What happens to money
Funds in escrow against active milestones stay in escrow and are resolved through the normal process or a dispute decision. An available balance is normally still withdrawable unless a specific hold applies, which we would tell you about.
Getting it resolved
We will tell you what the restriction is and why, unless a legal obligation prevents it. Reply to that notice with anything relevant. Do not create a second account. That is itself a breach and makes the first problem harder to resolve.
Permanent closures
Academic misconduct and qualification fraud generally result in permanent closure. These are the two things the platform cannot tolerate and continue to mean anything.