Delivery apps like DoorDash are designed to make things as streamlined as possible. However, it doesn’t always work out that way.
Whether one is ordering a rideshare or simply trying to get food sent to their house, malicious actors have figured out all sorts of ways to game the system for their benefit. For example, internet users have discussed alleged ways that rideshare drivers can artificially generate surge pricing.
Now, a user on TikTok is warning about a new tactic being used by food delivery drivers after a strange encounter with a DoorDash courier.
What Went Wrong With This DoorDash Order?
In a video with over 37,000 views, TikTok user Michaela Burton (@michaelaburtonn) says she got “scammed” after ordering groceries from DoorDash.
Claiming that she “[doesn’t] typically” order groceries via DoorDash, she says that this was an exception that she would come to regret.
Things went wrong from the minute the Dasher arrived at her apartment—and, crucially, not her front door.
“He was sitting outside in his car, which I could kind of see through my front window,” she recalls. “He had messaged me, ‘Come outside,’ and also sent me his actual phone number.”
“I was like, ‘That’s weird. I’m not going outside. Like, this is really strange,’” she continues. “I’ve never been asked to come outside when I’ve ordered things to be delivered.”
Eventually, the Dasher decided to come up and ring her video doorbell. Burton speculates that he did so in a manner that made it so the video doorbell couldn’t capture his face.
From there, things got weirder.
Why Did This Dasher Ask For Cash?
When the Dasher arrived, Burton considered not answering the door. However, after realizing that the Dasher seemed set on not leaving her apartment, she decided to open it.
“He immediately was like, ‘Hey, so the DoorDash app wasn’t working when I was checking out for your groceries, so I had to pay for them all in cash,’” she recalls.
Confused, Burton asked for a bank statement or receipt; the Dasher failed to provide, either as he claimed to have paid in cash.
“I was, like, asking him all these questions, really trying to understand what went on, because this has never happened to me before, and I don’t DoorDash often,” Burton states. “I’ve ordered things a couple of times, so I was very confused. And the charge went through on my credit card, so I could see that I had paid through them.”
After a bit of argument, during which the Dasher insisted he tried and failed to resolve the problem with DoorDash, Burton says she decided to send the man the approximate amount via Apple Pay. The man then left.
Later realizing she was probably scammed, Burton says she tried to contact DoorDash to get her money back. She was unable to do so.
“I had to pay for my groceries twice, basically,” she summarizes.
“Lesson learned that I will never be opening the door for the Dasher again,” she concludes. “[If] there’s a problem, they can solve it through the support that they have on their end.”
What Should I Do If A Dasher Asks For Cash?
There are a few things that could have happened here.
First, if a Dasher has to pay for an order, they will generally do so with DoorDash’s “Red Card.” If the Red Card declines, DoorDash instructs drivers to follow a series of steps outlined on the company’s website.
Crucially, these steps do not involve asking the customer for cash. However, users on Reddit say that some Dashers in this situation simply don’t understand how the system works.
“In cases where it’s a shop & deliver and the red card doesn’t work for whatever reason, support will actually ask if you can pay out of your pocket and then DD will reimburse you,” wrote a user. “If this is what happened, then (being not smart) perhaps he though the customer was supposed to reimburse him rather than DD.”
In situations like these, it’s advisable to simply refuse to pay the Dasher and instruct them to resolve the issue with DoorDash directly. Additionally, if the Dasher is insistent, the customer should still refuse to pay, then report the driver to DoorDash.
@michaelaburtonn at the end of the day there a worse things that could’ve happened, but wanted to share so this doesn’t happen to you! @DoorDash #doordash #delivery #scam #scammer #storytimes
Commenters Say She Messed Up
In the comments section, users said that Burton was wrong for paying the Dasher with Apple Pay.
“Why would you ever pay him…..,” wrote a commenter. In response, Burton said, “it probably would’ve been way worse if I refused to pay him.”
“This is definitely on you. Why would you pay for something again that you KNOW and have proof that you paid for already..???” echoed another.
“I feel bad this happened to you. But definitely always call door dash yourself if something doesn’t seem right,” shared a third. “Unfortunately people take advantage of people every day.”
That said, many were sympathetic.
“With people being psycho these days, he knows her address and she’s a woman at home alone. I can see why she would do it just to keep the peace,” detailed a further commenter. “:File reports later. Pay under duress.”
BroBible reached out to DoorDash via email and Burton via TikTok DM and comment.