How can a contractor protect himself from freelancing scammers?

Question

Freelance

Seriously. I can't understand how it works at all. For example, take weblancer.
So you took the project (you were chosen as the contractor). How to demonstrate the intermediate result in the process of work. It's just that if you put it on, say, a test server and give a link to the client so that he can evaluate it, he can simply "pick up" all your work without any problems, just by going to the developer tools? What are the guarantees that he won't do that? How does the exchange provide security for the contractor and the client?
Let's say you get the job done. You must show it. Again the same situation.
And in general, someone must first transfer to someone: if the client, then the money, if the performer, then the work. What are the guarantees that if you transfer the work, you will be paid?

Answer 1

All sites have a safe deal, everything was invented for you and for a long time

Answer 2

The guarantees are the same as those that you will do the job of the proper quality after the advance payment.
It looks like you're talking about layout. If so, then show the video or access via teamviewer.

Answer 3

Advance 50%

Answer 4

Watch what you are doing. You can't pick up the backend through developer tools.

Answer 5

100% prepayment, or work through an independent guarantor.
It's better not to work for a weblancer at all.

Answer 6

Secure transactions. All other paths work conditionally and there are always options for bypassing them.

Answer 7

hourly pay, just like that.)

Answer 8

Prepayment partial,
Staged payment.
PS:
You somehow overestimate the qualifications of the customer.
A good performer is hard to find.
And there is no reason to throw it - it will still be needed.