Job applicant uses hidden tracker to catch startup using his unpaid design test after rejecting him, sends $1,800 invoice and gets paid within hours: 'They knew they were completely caught red-handed'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jun 19, 2026 4:00 PM EDT

Can a take-home assignment become intellectual property theft?

Isn't this just a wonderful vengeance story? As a writer who has been working for a while, I had to complete multiple assignments during interview processes, and it never occurred to me that recruiters might be using my work without paying me a single penny. I just can't get over the fact that a company would actually do that. But I guess sometimes these things can happen.

That's why I got so thrilled when I read that the applicant installed a tracker on his design work, to check if those people would actually use it… and as a matter of fact, they were. But not only the used it: they rejected the applicant. That job position might have ended up being a total scam… Is it possible for companies to pretend they need to hire someone only to get a job done for free? I'm might be losing hope in the work industry if this is true…

I believe we can all learn from this situation and just be a bit more mindful when job searching. While taking a home assignment can be a legitimate part of the interview process, it does create opportunities for companies to steal the work and not pay for it. Although many companies act in good faith and they really want to test the applicant, being careful about it is a smart move.

Wow… it really surprises me how competitive the job market is getting. I remember a couple of years ago, it wasn't really common for companies to send homework for you to do in order to test our skills. But now, with so many applicants, it's the norm. I guess the rules are changing for both ends, so taking care of your work and demanding what's yours seems pretty reasonable.

Let us know in the comments what you think about this designer! What would you have done?

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

job applicant designer job search
Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From FAIL Blog

Tech guy gets fired at 58 after 35 years in tech, and instead of panicking, sees it as a chance to retire early, do DIY, and work part-time at a hardware store: ‘It's actually a relief, I was getting SO sick of the corporate stuff’

Tech guy gets fired at 58 after 35 years in tech, and instead of panicking, sees it as a chance to retire early, do DIY, and work part-time at a hardware store: ‘It's actually a relief, I was getting SO sick of the corporate stuff’

Trending Now

Landlord refuses to give tenants their security deposit back, claims his late wife handled it, leading tenants to pursue in court: ‘I have receipts, photos, and documentation’

Landlord refuses to give tenants their security deposit back, claims his late wife handled it, leading tenants to pursue in court: ‘I have receipts, photos, and documentation’

01
Union electrician spitefully applies to low-wage jobs requiring expert skills to waste unjust employers' time in interviews

Union electrician spitefully applies to low-wage jobs requiring expert skills to waste unjust employers' time in interviews

02
Entitled Dad Demands Son Not To Accept a House He Rightfully Inherited, It’s Key Importance to Both Parties Creating a Rift Between Them: ‘He Won’t Stop Bringing It Up'

Entitled Dad Demands Son Not To Accept a House He Rightfully Inherited, It’s Key Importance to Both Parties Creating a Rift Between Them: ‘He Won’t Stop Bringing It Up'

03
21 Cooking Fails for Optimistic Home Chefs Learning to Trust the Process (June 17th, 2026)

21 Cooking Fails for Optimistic Home Chefs Learning to Trust the Process (June 17th, 2026)

04
Employee is put on PIP after refusing to join a 10 PM work call, tries to understand if they're getting fired: ‘Is this a genuine improvement plan?’

Employee is put on PIP after refusing to join a 10 PM work call, tries to understand if they're getting fired: ‘Is this a genuine improvement plan?’

05
24-year-old daughter refuses to answer her father’s calls during her graduation ceremony after he decided not to go because it was “too far away”, arrives home to find a series of angry texts: ‘This showed him how little I cared about it’

24-year-old daughter refuses to answer her father’s calls during her graduation ceremony after he decided not to go because it was “too far away”, arrives home to find a series of angry texts: ‘This showed him how little I cared about it’

06
Advertisement