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december, 2024

How You’re
Being Scammed
in the IT Industry: The Most Common Tricks

Learn how to avoid mistakes in choosing an IT company
Have you ever been promised that everything would be done “in a month” and for “pennies”? A beautiful website, mobile app, or a “revolutionary” system that will instantly solve all your business problems. But what’s really behind these bold claims?
Timelines, cost, security—what you’re often shown is just a pretty package concealing the cynical reality. In this article, we’ll break down the main schemes used by companies to corner you. All you need to do is be smarter and understand what really lies behind those tempting promises.

“We’ll Develop It in a Month”

“We’ll finish your product in a month, and guarantee everything will work flawlessly.” This is a standard offer. But no one delivers a product in a month—except, perhaps, miracle workers on freelance platforms who work nights without having a clue about what they’re doing. In practice, not only is the product not ready on time, but it often requires rework, because the client doesn’t realize all the nuances that will come up during development. The reality is at least 6-12 months of work, and that’s if everything goes smoothly. In the end, the client finds themselves in a situation where everything drags on, resulting in additional costs.

Tip:

If someone tells you that the app will be ready in a month, don’t believe them. Real development timelines are several months at a minimum. These months are needed not just for coding, but for testing, fixing bugs, and adapting it across devices.

“A Mobile App for Just $2,500”

This is a classic. They offer you a website for pennies, and in reality, you get a basic template full of bugs and unfinished features. Low prices are always a red flag. If they say the price will be that low, you’re likely to get something that’s not even worth that amount.

Tip!

Don’t engage with companies that offer too-low prices. Quality development always comes at a price. Compare costs across different companies, ask for detailed estimates, read reviews, and check portfolios. Be prepared to pay for quality work.

Outdated Technologies

“We use the latest technologies to make your product the most advanced on the market!” It sounds tempting, but in reality, many companies offer solutions based on technologies that are outdated, not scalable, or don’t provide proper security.

Tip:

Be cautious if they offer old frameworks or tools that aren’t supported or updated. Especially if they tell you it’s “proven by time.” Ask: “When was this technology last updated?” If the answer is evasive, that’s a red flag. Why? To save money on development.

Bad Code: Creating Dependency on the Developer

When the project is finished, everything seems to work fine. But a few months later, you start noticing issues—small problems with integrations, expansion of functionality becomes impossible or too expensive. The client often doesn’t even understand what happened because the code left behind is unreadable or too difficult to modify without significant effort. This is one of the sneakiest tricks: to create a product that works only in one configuration, where any changes require the intervention of those who wrote the code. As a result, the client is completely dependent on the specific developer.

Tip:

Ask for a code review or for code samples. This is a standard practice for large and professional companies. If a company can’t provide code samples or do a code review, that’s a problem. Good developers are always ready to show how their code is written. If they refuse, either the work is subpar or they’re hiding low quality.

Licensing Schemes:
Saving Money at the Expense
of Others’ Rights

You don’t want to pay for official licenses, right? Then you can save by using “pirated” versions of software or cracked components. Some companies offer “discounts” for using such software while hiding from the client that it may come with limitations or even violate the law. Of course, this is never stated outright, but the risks associated with using illegal software can result in huge problems—ranging from fines to criminal liability.

Tip:

Make sure the contract specifies that the contractor is obligated to use only licensed software, or the project won’t be accepted. This will protect you legally and show how transparent the contractor is.

Pseudo-Consulting: Meaningless Advice
… for a Fee

“We’re ready to consult you on everything!” And they immediately offer you large consulting packages. In reality, this is just a way to sell trivial advice that won’t change anything. It’s marketing for their services disguised as “expert opinion.” In exchange for a fee, you get an “action plan” that has no practical value but benefits the seller.

Tip:

If you’re offered a consultation to improve your marketing, a good plan will include: an analysis of current channels, defining the target audience, specific steps for optimizing content, and launching ad campaigns with clear timelines and expected results. If instead, you’re promised “general recommendations” or “we’ll discuss how to improve,” that’s not a plan—it’s just empty words.

Why Does
This Happen?

A lot of it comes down to a lack of experience or knowledge on the client’s part. Some companies deliberately exploit this to offer “attractive” proposals that turn out to be anything but. And of course, there’s always the risk that the client won’t do proper due diligence—such as asking for code samples or asking what technologies are being used.

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