Violations include but are not limited to:
Disclosing direct contact information (email address, phone number or chat ID) in your cover letters. Direct contact with clients is not allowed prior to the interview phase.
Misrepresenting skills, experience, portfolio or time estimates.
Applying when you are not truly qualified or cannot commit to completing within the client's requested time frame.
Submitting unreasonably low bids or test bids.
Submitting proposals or bids that are made with the intent to commit fraud.
Submitting boilerplate, placeholder or generic bids or otherwise spam clients and their job postings.
Offering your services in exchange for good feedback.
Intending any illegal activity or violation of other websites' Terms of Service (Craigslist, Yahoo, Backpage, etc.).
Intending the use of spyware, spam-bots, viruses or any other products with malicious intent.
Accepting upfront payment for a fixed-price contract which you know you cannot complete successfully.
Accepting payment using any method (Western Union, PayPal, etc.) outside the oDesk billing and payment system.
Offering to work in exchange for payment using any method (Western Union, etc.) outside the oDesk billing and payment system.