Explaining Common Food Delivery Phishing Scams

Florida restaurants and delivery drivers may encounter seemingly helpful companies offering efficient business support services to make food ordering and delivery more efficient and cost-effective. These offers upgraded services and refunds for canceled orders sound beneficial in a growing demand for food delivery services. However, scammers are targeting unsuspecting restaurants and food delivery service drivers in an attempt to commit identity theft in Florida.

Restaurants and food delivery service drivers in Florida should be on the lookout for the following phishing scams, providing criminals access to business and personal banking information. Taking immediate action is required to protect your banking information and accounts. 

Delivery Service Support Impersonation

Many restaurants utilize food delivery service companies, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub, to optimize their delivery services throughout Florida. With the increase in business, it should be no surprise that scammers target businesses striving to meet these demands. Restaurant owners, managers, and delivery drivers should become aware of the following tactics that threaten their finances and personal information. 

Food Delivery Phishing Scams Impacting Restaurants

Any unsolicited offer to provide free equipment to make food delivery orders simpler from someone identifying themselves as a representative of a support company should be a red flag you may be speaking with, emailing, or texting a scammer. In an alert issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), business owners should consider these communications and requests as red flags that a business’s personal information is in jeopardy.

• A support scammer contacts a restaurant via phone, email, or text, offering free tablets, printers, or other electronic devices to aid in improved food delivery service.
• The scammer will ask the restaurant owner or manager to confirm or verify personal information before sending the equipment. 
• Requested information may include bank account information, social security number, email and login, a verification code, or phone number. 

Food Delivery Phishing Scams Targeting Food Delivery Service Drivers

Most food delivery drivers operate as independent contractors and stand to lose significant amounts of money when orders are canceled or if there is an issue with an order. Scammers are offering support to drivers only to take advantage of these moments of vulnerability by doing the following:

• A support scammer contacts the delivery driver to help correct an issue with an order by offering a refund.
• The scammer will most likely request a driver’s email or bank account number and then send a verification code and request the driver provide the code, allowing the scammer to access their banking and personal email information.

Any unsolicited contact by a support service asking for sensitive information should be deleted and ignored. But even the most technically savvy computer users have fallen victim to sophisticated phishing attacks. 

Customers may be Targeted by Food Delivery Phishing Scams as Well

Phishing scammers are aware that food delivery services are used regularly throughout Florida. No matter your favorite delivery service, ensure any request for updated account information via text or email is from a legitimate business. As mentioned, scam emails appear to be correspondence from a legitimate business. 

Once unsuspecting users click on a phishing email link, they are often directed to sites built by scammers waiting for you to input your updated personal information. Only access your personal information on a business’s website by going directly to their webpage or by using their official App to view if any requests for updated information have been made.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams in Florida

It is commonplace to get busy and let down your guard. Support scammers often appear to be actual companies, portraying established businesses utilizing logos and information that make it almost impossible to differentiate between a business you can trust and a scammer looking to capitalize on a moment of weakness. Avoid phishing scams in Florida by taking the following actions:

• Sharing a verification code should only be done when you initiate the action with a support company. 
• Never give out personal information when someone offers support unexpectedly through a call, email, or text.
• To ensure a request for updated information is coming from a legitimate business, go directly to their website or App, and never click on email links. 

Links sent via email from scam support services are easy ways to lead unsuspecting individuals to a fake webpage. 

The extra seconds or minutes it takes to locate the business’s information can save hours trying to regain control of your personal information. Protecting bank account information can also financially save a restaurant or delivery driver, preventing substantial monetary loss. Email phishing scams impact Florida businesses significantly, often making it challenging to recover from an attack fully.

Steps to Take After Experiencing a Food Delivery Scam Phishing Attack

Be proactive to minimize the information the scammer can access If you are a Florida restaurant owner or food delivery service provider who shares their personal information with a scammer. Restaurant managers and delivery drivers can take crucial steps after a phishing attack to reduce the damage. 

• Create new strong passwords for bank accounts and other accounts with sensitive information
• Contact your financial institution
• Monitor financial accounts and credit for suspicious activity or signs of identity theft
• Work with Florida identity theft attorneys to protect your business and personal information 

The FTC offers this information to protect personal information and data online. Staying aware of the most current scams and phishing attack threats helps you recognize when someone is trying to steal your information. We offer this guide with steps to take after a phishing attack.

Staying Safe From Phishing Attacks in Florida

Protecting a restaurant’s financial integrity and delivery drivers’ financial information requires diligence in an ever-changing technological landscape where scammers have become almost unrecognizable. The impact of phishing scams may be far-reaching, impairing the ability to continue successful business operations.

Learn more about your options to combat phishing scams in Florida and their unwanted effects on your business. Receive assistance with putting credit bureaus on notice, working with creditors and lending institutions, and notifying law enforcement when your financial security is at risk.