Getting ghosted after delivering work is stressful, but panicking rarely helps. A calm, documented escalation is far more effective — and it starts long before any legal step.
Step 1 — A clear, dated reminder
Send a short, professional message restating the agreed amount, what was delivered, and the due date. Keep it factual. The goal is a paper trail, not a confrontation.
Step 2 — A firm follow-up with the record attached
If there's no response, follow up referencing the contract and acknowledgement. A timestamped agreement changes the tone of this message entirely — you're no longer asking, you're reminding them of something they agreed to.
Step 3 — A formal demand / legal notice
A legal notice from an advocate, attaching the contract, the acknowledgement record, and the delivery timeline, is often enough on its own. Many disputes resolve at this stage because the documentation is undeniable.
Step 4 — Formal dispute resolution
- Arbitration, if your contract specifies it (under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996).
- Consumer Forum, for deficiency-of-service style claims.
- Small-cause or civil court, depending on the amount and facts.
Why documentation decides the outcome
At every step above, the difference between 'they ignored me' and 'they paid' is usually evidence. Pakkawork's one-click evidence pack compiles the contract, the OTP acknowledgement, milestone status, and the full timeline into a single legal-ready PDF — ready to attach to a notice or a filing.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For high-value or complex disputes, consult a qualified advocate.
Freelancers living this right now
61%
of surveyed Indian freelancers have gone unpaid at least once
Industry surveys (cited by PayPal-India, Razorpay)15M+
freelancers in India's independent workforce
NASSCOM / industry estimates46%
increase in new Indian freelancers (Q1 to Q2 2020)
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