Victoria resident advises caution after falling victim to fake restaurant on Uber Eats
A recent incident in Victoria has sparked concerns about fraudulent restaurants on food delivery services after a resident, Tom Power, experienced a troubling situation with an online order. Power used Uber Eats to order from Dushka Burger, supposedly located at 580 Yates St. However, after waiting for three hours and receiving no response from the restaurant, Power discovered that there was no such restaurant at the specified address.
Upon contacting Uber Eats, it was revealed that fraudulent activity was at play, leading to the closure of Dushka Burger’s account on the app. Further investigation by CBC News uncovered another suspicious account on Yates Street, which was also promptly closed by Uber Eats.
Power is now cautioning other food delivery app users to be vigilant and watch out for warning signs such as low ratings. He also highlighted the lack of direct customer support from Uber Eats, which left him feeling frustrated and helpless during the ordeal.
In response to these incidents, Uber Eats stated that they have stringent requirements for restaurants to join the platform, including providing business licenses and other details. However, they acknowledged that there are still instances of fraudulent activity that slip through the cracks.
The investigation also uncovered another questionable restaurant, Holmes Burgers, which turned out to be a front for Adventure Clothing. Following this discovery, Uber Eats deactivated the Holmes Burgers account due to fraudulent activity.
To prevent falling victim to such scams, Simone Lis from the Better Business Bureau advises customers to research businesses before placing orders. Checking customer feedback, being wary of fake reviews, and doing reverse image searches are recommended steps to verify the legitimacy of a restaurant.
Online purchase scams, including fraudulent restaurants on food delivery apps, are a common occurrence. In case of fraud, customers are advised to notify the app for a refund and share their experience online. Using a credit card for transactions provides an added layer of protection, allowing for chargebacks in case of services not rendered.
Power managed to get a refund for the cost of the meal but was unable to recover the tip amount. This incident serves as a reminder for users to exercise caution and due diligence when ordering from food delivery apps to avoid falling prey to fraudulent establishments.
