I read a story today that made my blood run cold. Not because it's unusual—unfortunately, it's all too common. But because it could happen to any of us.
A woman in Draper, Utah, hired someone she found online to build a water feature. He said he was licensed and insured. He asked for a deposit—$8,400. Four days into the job, he demanded more money. She said no. He walked off, leaving a hole in her garden and a hole in her wallet.
This man, Steven Jay Sizemore, has been convicted before. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to five counts of communications fraud. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing counted 21 victims defrauded out of $117,000. Now he's back in court.
The Real Problem: Trust Without Proof
We freelancers work on trust. A handshake, a verbal promise, a quick email. It feels personal. It feels efficient. But it's also fragile.
In this case, the woman had a written contract—but it wasn't enough. Sizemore filed a small claims lawsuit against her for the unpaid balance after he abandoned the project. He even texted: "You choose not to pay me I will come after you criminally this time."
That's the kind of stress that keeps you up at night. And it's completely avoidable.
What Went Wrong?
- No license verification. She trusted his word. A quick check with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing would have shown he wasn't licensed.
- Cash deposit. Paying by cash or bank transfer leaves no paper trail for disputes.
- No milestone payments. The entire deposit was paid upfront, giving him all the leverage.
- Verbal promises. "I'm licensed and insured" means nothing without proof.
How to Protect Yourself as a Freelancer
I'm Swedish. We love systems. We love clarity. And we love fairness. So let me share a few principles that can save you from this nightmare.
1. Always Verify Credentials
Before you hand over a single krona, check licenses, insurance, and references. In Sweden, we have a public register for construction companies. In the US, each state has its own. Use them.
2. Use Digital Contracts
A written contract is good. A digital contract with timestamps and signatures is better. It creates an immutable record of what was agreed, when, and by whom.
3. Break Payments into Milestones
Never pay the full amount upfront. Tie payments to specific, verifiable milestones. If the contractor walks away, you only lose the deposit for completed work.
4. Keep Everything in Writing
Emails, messages, invoices—save them all. When Sizemore texted threateningly, the woman had proof. That proof is now in court documents.
Enter Invoice Gini: Your Digital Shield
This is where I want to talk about a tool I genuinely love: Invoice Gini.
Invoice Gini is an AI finance assistant built for freelancers. You just say what you need, and it generates professional invoices, tracks payments, and keeps a clean digital record of every transaction.
Why does that matter? Because when you use Invoice Gini:
- Every invoice is timestamped and stored in the cloud.
- Payment tracking is automatic—you know exactly who has paid and who hasn't.
- You can generate contracts and invoices with natural language. Just speak or type what you need.
- The PDFs are professional and include all necessary legal details.
Imagine if the woman in Draper had used a system like this. She would have had a clear payment schedule, a digital contract, and automatic reminders. When Sizemore walked off, she would have had documented proof of breach of contract.
Instead, she's left chasing a man with a criminal record through the courts.
The Bigger Picture: Trust, But Verify
We live in a world where trust is essential but verification is cheap. There's no excuse for relying on verbal agreements when digital tools exist to protect everyone.
As freelancers, we're often so focused on the work that we neglect the business side. But the business side is what keeps us working. A single bad client—or a bad contractor—can wipe out months of profit.
Invoice Gini isn't just about invoicing. It's about creating a system of trust that's backed by data. It's about making sure that when you say "I'll pay you when the work is done," there's a clear record of what "done" means.
Final Thoughts
This story from Utah is a reminder that the freelance economy is still the Wild West in many ways. But we don't have to live like that. We can build fences, create maps, and use tools that make everyone accountable.
So here's my advice: next time you hire someone—or get hired—don't just shake hands. Send a digital contract. Use Invoice Gini to create a clear, professional invoice. Protect yourself with the same care you put into your work.
Because your time and money are too valuable to leave to chance.
Source: Unlicensed contractor previously convicted faces new charges