It is so convenient now to order food from restaurants and have it delivered right to your door with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Restaurants and delivery drivers depend on these services and orders to make a living. Unfortunately, according to the Federal Trade Commission, delivery drivers and restaurants are being targeted by scammers to steal their hard-earned money or their personal information.
Delivery drivers and restaurants: heads up! Here’s how the two new scams work.
- Fraudsters pose as support personnel from the delivery service (e.g. Uber Eats and DoorDash) and contact drivers and restaurants to say they are sending them a free tablet or printer to process food delivery orders. The ask you to verify your phone number, email address and login, Social Security number, and bank account number so they can send the tablet or printer. Obviously, sending this personal information now gives the fraudsters valuable personal information that can then be used to perpetrate fraud on the individual who provides the personal information.
- The scammer requests the email or bank account number “because there’s a problem with an order, or they want to refund them money from a canceled order.” Once they obtain the email address, the scammer then asks for an email verification code.
If you get requests like this, no matter where you work: Stop. Here’s how to avoid the scams.
- Don’t give your personal or financial information to someone who unexpectedly calls, texts, or emails you. They may be trying to steal from you.
- If you think the request is legitimate, contact the business directly. But use a phone number you know is real or a website or app you found yourself.
- Never share an email verification code with someone if you didn’t contact them first. Scammers are after your information and money. Sharing verification codes makes it easier for them to pretend to be you. Once they’re “you,” they have access to your accounts and can take your money.