Gerry's Tech Tip of the Month
GERRY HEBERT
WATCH OUT FOR THESE 3 BIG HOME MEAL DELIVERY SCAMS
Restaurant meal delivery and takeaway services are a booming business. And so are the scams and tricks that come along with them.
Here are the three biggest tricks to be on the lookout for, according to Scambusters.org:
Here are the three biggest tricks to be on the lookout for, according to Scambusters.org:
1. Hidden Fees
Lawsuits are currently flying around alleging that certain restaurants, including some big chains, add significant amounts to delivery costs on services that they advertise as being low-cost or even free. Many eateries legitimately charge a delivery fee, usually a couple of dollars. But some of them impose additional charges that may not be obvious when you order. These include things like fuel surcharges, unspecified service fees and even what they label as "temporary inflation fees," "card swipe fees," or "non-cash adjustments."
In one reported case, a 3 percent "wellness fee" was added to a bill, supposedly to cover health insurance for employees! Another charged a "kitchen appreciation fee," presumably a tip for employees, though they may not have received it.
This isn't always a scam as long as these additions are declared upfront, though they still may seem rather vague. But sometimes the details are hidden in small print or not mentioned at all.
2. Price and Content Differences
Online menus are not always the same as those available to in-house diners. The meals themselves might be different - and so might be how much you pay. Researchers report home-delivered prices allegedly being as much as 30 percent more for the same meal in-house. The quantity of food you get may be different too, and the online version might not come with the same "extras" you get at the restaurant table.
3. Phony Websites
Scammers are building websites that look identical to those of well-known restaurants and with similar online addresses. Or they pretend to be a third-party home delivery company working with local eateries. Consumers who order from them may be asked to pay in untraceable cryptocurrency, or, if they use a payment card, the crook uses the details to make immediate purchases before the theft is uncovered. Either way, the victim gets no food!
Lawsuits are currently flying around alleging that certain restaurants, including some big chains, add significant amounts to delivery costs on services that they advertise as being low-cost or even free. Many eateries legitimately charge a delivery fee, usually a couple of dollars. But some of them impose additional charges that may not be obvious when you order. These include things like fuel surcharges, unspecified service fees and even what they label as "temporary inflation fees," "card swipe fees," or "non-cash adjustments."
In one reported case, a 3 percent "wellness fee" was added to a bill, supposedly to cover health insurance for employees! Another charged a "kitchen appreciation fee," presumably a tip for employees, though they may not have received it.
This isn't always a scam as long as these additions are declared upfront, though they still may seem rather vague. But sometimes the details are hidden in small print or not mentioned at all.
2. Price and Content Differences
Online menus are not always the same as those available to in-house diners. The meals themselves might be different - and so might be how much you pay. Researchers report home-delivered prices allegedly being as much as 30 percent more for the same meal in-house. The quantity of food you get may be different too, and the online version might not come with the same "extras" you get at the restaurant table.
3. Phony Websites
Scammers are building websites that look identical to those of well-known restaurants and with similar online addresses. Or they pretend to be a third-party home delivery company working with local eateries. Consumers who order from them may be asked to pay in untraceable cryptocurrency, or, if they use a payment card, the crook uses the details to make immediate purchases before the theft is uncovered. Either way, the victim gets no food!
How to Beat the Meal Delivery Scammers
- Monitor your credit card bill for signs that someone else is using your card.
- Compare the amount you were billed against the charge that appears on your card statement.
- Make sure you are on the correct website for a restaurant you plan to buy from.
- Buy only from restaurants you already know -- not establishments you've never heard of.
- Check the restaurant website or delivery app for small print that identifies additional costs.
- Check the bill and the contents immediately to confirm it's what you ordered and that items are not missing, or others added.
- If you decide to pay for a subscription service, only deal with reputable deliverers that you have thoroughly researched.
- Don't use cybercurrency to pay for your meal. It's almost certainly a scam. Use a credit card. Most card providers protect you against fraud.
If you think you've been misled or scammed on a meal delivery, contact the restaurant or delivery service you bought from. If you're still not happy, file a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov).
