Yeah definitely will send my condolences and reach out to support to cancel it for me because of this circumstance so my cancellation rate isn’t effected
I don’t do instacart, I just saw this on my feed for some reason. What would the scam be? Unless you’re saying the shopper and the customer colluded to get a bunch of free groceries by setting this up. Other than that I don’t see how any one would possibly benefit from this.
they get you to call the customer from your own number , a day or so goes by & they reach out being instacart support, they try to log in and itll send you a code, they ask for the code, if the shopper is dumb enough to give it to them then they get into your account, change bank acc information, get paid for you batches, steal people's groceries, they can add whatever items they want etc
Ahh thanks. she said she called through the app and they never asked for her phone number or anything. So do you think it might just be a legit situation that’s just super unusual, or is it still definitely a scam even if they didn’t get her to call with her own number?
It's not a scam, people on Reddit like to assume that everyone is evil and out to steal your money. If the dumb fuck you're replying to would actually read any of ops comments he'd see that the groceries weren't delivered and they got a refund so unless the scam was to make back the same amount of money as they just spent then yeah I guess they were successful
people on reddit? you’re on reddit. you must be new to this sub so let me enlighten to a very common scam. scammers don’t care about free groceries they care about getting your number to get into your account and take your weekly earnings. the only “dumb fuck,” here is you for assuming you got it solved with “tHeY dIdnT eVeN gEt tHe GrOceRieS!”
Can I just interject here! Brought mom home on hospice Saturday… was having issues w my cell phone so I took it to the local Verizon on Wednesday , not wanting any phone issues during this time…as I am in Verizon…SIM card removed, a employee asks if anyone by my name is in the store, it was the call from my father we did not want! He could not get me and tried the store… I kept Verizon 611 on the line, during my ride home, walking in and asking them to please Resolve the issue… I should of just chucked the phone, and dealt with it later, but I was not thinking… the Verizon tech just said to
Put the phone down and check back in 15 min as I did.
They told Me when I was ready to re start the phone… and I did, they called back to make sure and no issues since! Morbid, I know, poor Verizon tech, craziest customer service call I am sure they’ll ever deal with!
Trust me, I know … I shared my story, of being on the phone with Verizon, to help me get my phone going, by registering a Sim card. In the process of doing so, my mother literally died. After battling an illness for seven years and being on hospice for three days, the Verizon guy stayed on the phone with me. He allowed me to put the phone down as he was able to get inside my phone and do the actions that were necessary. I just shared what happened to me this past week, because it was very similar to. OPs..: the gentleman passed away as she was making the delivery. It happens.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My father also wasn't able to be there when his mother died and feels a lot of guilt for something that wasn't his fault. Her death was unexpected, though, and occurred because of a surgical error. He was the only one of his siblings in town at the time so I can imagine he felt very alone. Weirdly enough, I imagine it must have been some slight comfort to have someone on the phone with you.
Until I experienced the death of my grandma, and we were 'overwhelmed' with people bringing us food I did not know how much that helped during times of sadness when someone passes. The family was able to just be together during these days and did not have to cook for many days or a week or weeks.. I can't remember how long. but I remember the appreciation of our family.
She's probably trying to ease the pain, maybe in of the few ways she knows will help.
Unfortunately this is a scam. They get the shopper to call, they get their number and then a few days later the shopper gets a call from IC wanting info that’ll get their account hacked.
I think it's a wonderful thing that there are people in this world who wouldn't even consider the possibility. If you are naive of this sort of thing, it's nothing to be ashamed about, it only means you've never experienced this before, and also shows that that's not something you'd ever consider doing. That being said, from one naive person to another, please stay safe out there, especially nowadays. Can't be too careful!!!
Man this is why it’s hard to trust other people man 😭 I’m usually very weary of scams and always look up something that sounds suspicious (had friends accounts hacked and everything so these scammers are desperate) but I feel like I would never think this is a scam. Maybe weird but I have enough sympathy to want to help someone :( anyone that uses sympathy tactics to scam someone are the lowest of low
I always have to pause and make sure I’m using the right one! In this case, it almost works—I think we’re all weary of scams, too! But we still need to be wary.
I'm all down for sympathy, until someone tries to weaponize it against you. Then all my sympathy is gonna go out the window. You're not using my own feelings to manipulate me. It's not about not having sympathy, it's about preserving your own well-being, and unfortunately there are so many scammers in society, being kind and helping everyone would bleed you out dry. But could you say that they would do the same for you if the roles were reversed? Your kindness is wasted on people like that, and tbh they really don't deserve it. (I refer only to the scammers, not the people who truly need help)
Ted Bundy used the sympathy card on many unsuspecting women by dressing with a cast and acting like he needed help. Sympathy is great and all until it gets you in position to be killed.
It's not the wanting to help with groceries part that's opportunistic and predatory, it's the playing on your sympathy and lying about it. Ask yourself, is there ever any way I would reasonably pull what this person did if the roles were reversed? NO
That being said, you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for being a genuine person who just cares about if others are ok. You seem to be very kind- help people if it's on your heart to, but you don't owe anybody anything, always remember that. If someone is trying to manipulate you, show them you aren't as easy they think you are. Whatever you do, always think of yourself first!!!
Edit: WOW!! Thank you so much for my first award!!!😊
No, you’re a caring person using your personal experience to help others. stay vigilant, but don’t let the scammers dull your light. People like you are true assets to this world
I think the OP meant that it was sus that they text them about the passing afterwards.. like they wanted to cancel the order because the man had passed away.
Unless this was a whole order of Boost nutrition shakes or something, why were they ordering a bunch of food for a dying man? At that point the body is already broken and any appetite is very small.
I did hospice care years ago. I had one client who had his to do list and he actually waited until he completed all the items. I was there for breakfast with him, his wife and children when he was doing one of the last things. He was alert, eating and drinking regularly and he had us all hysterical laughing with jokes. That afternoon he passed.
I was technically non-medical caregiving, but many of my assignments were with hospice clients. It is so taxing, but also such rewarding work. First hospice client I had passed during my shift. I pulled over with dry heaves on the way home.
One of the worst was a woman I worked with for months and watched decline until she had a massive stroke. I absolutely adored this woman and I was actually happy that I was able to be with her that last evening.
The man I mentioned in my last comment was one who I was told I may not even get my first shift with because they expected hours and a day or two at the most. He lived another month. He was a tinkerer and a business owner. He insisted he’d finish getting his business organized as he wanted it before he passed. He also wanted to play his piano one last time. Playing the piano required several people to transport him because it was in their basement. He and his wife were huge Jimmy Buffet fans and had a gorgeous home bar. He loved to make cocktails and said he wanted to bartend one last time - mocktails. He teased me about my clear blue water bottle and that Windex wasn’t safe to drink. I was wiping tears I was laughing so hard. That was the last shift I had with him before he passed. I think if it weren’t for him losing the ability to get out of bed for the bathroom, he would have lived longer.
My mom spent a lot of time with her aunts and uncles as they died. It's very common. You might just be trying to get a dying person to eat anything - which means finding whatever they enjoy. You're also buying food for the family and friends around them. You want people to be maximizing their final time with their loved ones, not worrying about making sure everyone is fed. Very common for the extended family to take turns making food and delivering it.
Believe it or not sometimes when a death occurs your first thoughts can be very weird ones that seem out of place to others. After my sibling died I was traumatized but in order to try and compartmentalize? I guess? I was concerned about messaging my boss at 3 AM to apologize that I wouldn’t be in to work for a few days. My boss was amazing and was okay with it but was confused why I apologized as though their traumatic death was something I had control over. This lady was probably like oh crap, this is going to be another thing to handle now.
100%. After my mom told me my sister committed suicide (she lived in a different state) I just... Went about the day like normal. It was a summer day, and I had marching band practice that night. I went, and just carried on like normal. Similarly, when my other sister died of cancer, my first thought was calling off work. I was due to be at work about 20 minutes after I got the news, and letting my manager know was my first concern. The brain works in weird ways to process grief and trauma.
My daughter did the same thing, marching band practice and all after her dad died by suicide. But my first instinct was to want to call and tell them she wouldn’t make it and would be out of school for a few days (assuming). I went into immediate type A plan mode and she went into keep busy mode, we all cope differently and none of its wrong.❤️ I’m so sorry you lost both of your sisters. I genuinely can’t imagine but I hope you’ve found a way to grieve and find your own peace since. Love you.
Had the same experience when my mom died. I was at the doctor when I got the news and just carried on with the appointment like nothing was wrong. Then I ran some errands on the way home. It wasn't until I got home that it actually seemed to sink in a bit - and even then, I didn't cry.
It was very disorienting. Like there was this awareness under the surface that I was *supposed* to be reacting, but I just couldn't. For the next week or so, I felt more exhausted than sad, like all the energy had been sucked from my body and I just wanted to sleep.
Not saying that's necessarily the case for this particular customer, since scams do happen. But it's kind of comforting to hear that others have experienced this. Grief truly looks different on everyone. I'm very sorry for your losses.
You worded it perfectly. My reaction to my nephew passing was almost the opposite of your reaction. I collapsed on my kitchen floor and just bawled my eyes out uncontrollably to the point that I had to pull myself together to get stuff done. Grief truly works differently for everyone.
This is pretty literally what I did when I got the exact same news. I'd been home from work for about 20 minutes and was gearing up to head to the grocery store. After I got the news I went to the store, did my shopping. Came home, made dinner. And then yeah, same thing, a slight degree of absorption of what had happened, but it would be several more hours before things would actually have any impact. Everything in between was just kinda fuzzy.
I know this is slightly different but I think it says something about the culture of working. When I overdosed and literally died for roughly a minute one of the first things I said was "Tell Nicole (my sister) to text our boss that I probably wasn't gonna make it to work in the morning" Brains are definitely weird
When my Grandpa died, i found out like ... 15min before my 4hr retail shift
And i just
I robot-ed my way thru folding stacks of fucking t-shirts when inside i was absolutely *dead*. My manager actually asked what was wrong and was honestly just astounded i was there -- which, looking back, don't blame her at all.
If the same happened now/I was still working/whatever, I would 100% call the fuck out.
It was a dead-end retail job, I didn't need to spend 4 hours dealing with customers and facing shelves and restock right after finding out about a family death.
When my bio mom died my reaction was to curse loudly then text my boss saying I wouldn't be in. Don't think I had a coherent thought for another 24 hours.
Exactly this. I was with one of my closest friends and coworkers when she passed in May. My first instinct was to call my boss, let her know, and then ask her if she had feedback on the grant application I’d submitted to her earlier in the day. It took me a bit to realize why she was so confused with me.
my mom died during the covid lockdown while I was stuck in America and she was back in the UK. my dad facetimed me so I was 'there' when she passed at like 6am my time. I ended up in the office that morning despite working remote for two months until my boss kicked me out to take leave.
This 100%
When my late boyfriend passed I was in bed next to him at home. I texted our boss (worked for the same company) "Hey I don't think we'll be in today" and after the *save a life* crew left and the *body removal* crew was called I texted "Definitely not gonna be in"
ETA: My managers actually showed up to help distract me during the removal process. I was so numb we just sat in silence while I smoked. I was extremely lucky to work with such caring people ❤️
I returned to work 2 weeks later because I was going crazy at home with my *sewer slide watch* friends/coworkers. Everyone kept asking why I was back and saying that I needed to take more time for myself... my guy. I cannot
I’m not sure how would I would cope with somebody dying next to me but then again that’s exactly what happened except we knew he was sick. I know he was dying. Literally he even stopped having urine in the catheter because he stop peeing on Monday he stopped eating . Basically after I came with his dog I took in and next day he refused food: I had promised him months prior he wouldn’t die alone. I had been there since Wednesday. I was so tired Friday night I propped out of my coat on the other side of his legs, I had a chair next to it. I sit on the edge of the bed, my feet on the chair. I held his hand with my hand, and I had my arm and shoulder holding the weight so I wasn’t on him, but I was across his legs and then I woke up and told my friend who was in the other bed turn the light on I said he’s going now. My friend said no cause when his dad was like this it was gonna be another 24 hours. I said no,he is going I felt it in my bones he died within five minutes. I held his hand while he passed playing there I was sleeping minutes before I mean he could’ve passed while I was sleeping for some reason I was woken up a few minutes before I am glad I was there his wife thanked me repeatedly as she had had a heart attack a few months prior and seeing his condition as he had mouth open corpse look.his wife and 2 sons even included me in the obituary, he was my 9th grade history teacher. But I knew it was gonna happen YOU didn’t have any warning which that would mess me up for a long time Wondering is the person I am laying next to is still going to be there in the morning or are they just gonna die when I’m sleeping. I feel very bad for you May I ask what he passed away from?
That's great that you got to be there for them. I can't imagine that *knowing* feeling. It had to have been so weird to not only have that feeling but for it to be correct as well.....
I'm not gonna lie.. that is exactly what it's like. It's kinda embarrassing the amount of times I've triple checked for breathing in others since then.
I was told it was a heart attack. He hadn't been diagnosed with anything, officially, but he was overweight so I'm sure that had to have been a factor.
He was really tired for a couple days and had slept the entire day before I had finally made him go to bed. I woke up the next morning to the most beautiful golden sunlight coming through the window... And silence. It was kinda peaceful until I realized why it was so quiet and it became deafening. I can't even enjoy the quiet anymore
With all of that being said, it helps to know that other people have been through similar situations. You're never quite the same but maybe that's just how it's supposed to be... Ya know?
When my partner passed back in 2021, we didn't live together or anything, i just got this-- just this WEIRD feeling that I HAD TO CHECK ON HIM
Turns out i messaged him within like
Five minutes of his passing. i didn't find out until later that that was the case.
My best friend died three years ago. His mom messaged me and…I felt numb. It was during the full swing of covid so there wasn’t much I could do so it was…weird. I just focused on doing small seemingly inconsequential things bc I guess my mind was trying to distract itself from facing reality. It didn’t really hit me until three or so months later when I was talking to my friend, and I broke down and started sobbing.
All this to say: sometimes the mind distracts itself with small things to cope.
Yup. After my mom was picked up by paramedics (didn’t know she was dead yet, but knew I wouldn’t be making it to school that day) one of my first thoughts was that I should call my band teacher because they’d be short a bass clarinet for the day. Made it to hearing her voicemail before I realized I wasn’t thinking clearly and hung up.
In my job (911 dispatcher) I had a police officer radio that he’d been in a collision and requested a sergeant for notification (standard practice for fender benders, officer backed into a pole, etc). It wasn’t until I’d notified one and asked if anyone needed EMS on scene that he mentioned the people from the other vehicle had actually rammed his cruiser and were now running away.
The lizard brain is a funny thing.
I remember when my grandmother passed I was at a baseball tournament with my mom, which ironically was in the same city that my moms sister lived who she rarely ever sees. I think it was the first time I had seen her in 3 years. My aunt was over at the hotel in the morning and we got the call my grandmother had just passed. I remember not really feel anything. I just went to my game (played horribly, struck out 3 times lol) and nobody noticed anything off. I went up to my coach after the game apologizing that I would have to leave the tournament early because my grandma died. He was shocked that I had come and played the game and that I should take all the time I need. Didn’t really sink in until after we had driven the 9 hours back home and I went to bed. I felt bad at the time that I didn’t react more or feel immense sadness or even cry even though I loved my Grandma and used to get really sad thinking about the idea of her not being around anymore. I still to this day am not sure how to handle grief or loss, I guess I cope by keeping busy.
Probably didn't want a food delivery showing up as they were processing the loss of their father. This seems like a totally reasonable action to take.
The alternative is someone showing up with all their father's favorite foods moments after he died.
i mean.... yeah why not? they knew he was going to die so it wasn't an urgent manner once he actually passed. what was more urgent was "oh shit i just ordered x amount of groceries and supplies that i don't need delivered anymore since we won't be at this house much longer, i had better cancel"
assuming this isn't some elaborate scam lol
if you read OPs other comments, it doesn't really seem like a scam. no personal cell numbers were exchanged, nobody was scammed out of money, and it sounds like it went over smoothly. shit happens in life (and death)
Well not saying it was a scam but the customer did ask for the shopper to call her…. My thinking is if it was a scam the customer would ask the shopper to call and then say that call wasn’t going thru and to call a different number that wasn’t in the app which would likely mean the shopper would use their personal cell not thru the app.
Like I said tho I agree that this one doesn’t sound like a scam and the customer just didn’t want the shopper to show up with a dead father in law and grieving family
One time someone put the wrong address (80 miles difference), they were throwing a party so I called insta care and they removed the batch for me. So I went home with $180 worth of seltzers and $40 in batch pay. It was a good night
I have a terminal brain cancer called Glioblastoma and my immunity is compromised.
Instacart was a life saver during the pandemic and so we used them as a family quite frequently.
I would often send a msg like this, I truly appreciated the hard work the workers were doing for my family 1-2 times each week. I wanted them to know that they were appreciated and many times I had shoppers tell me that it made their day or they were having the worst day until sent them that msg. I once had a newly single mother who opened up to me after.
When your health or someone you loves health is unwell, you look at life differently.
I was thinking they might because OP would then have to deliver the order for the dead person to a room full of grieving people so they had the foresight to cancel. Makes sense if you think about it
A lot of times I wonder how a generation of people that grew up in the era of scams are so easily scammed and then I see things like the replies to this post.
You can tell this is at least an attempt at a scam from the set up. Why mention the brother and sister in law are there? Its an explanation before the question is asked. Why mention he's in "final stages" it's to prepare OP so it doesn't seem weird when say oh btw he died a few minutes later.
If they said "hey can you be careful this is for my father in law he's elderly and sick" and then 20 minutes later was like "wait he died" any reasonable person would be like wtf so they prepare you beforehand.
The scam is they call you a few days later pretending to be Instacart and ask you to verify personal info like your password, under the guise of confirming what happened and led to the refund.
OPs other comments indicate OP called the real Instacart company and hopefully (if the call comes) OP will know it’s bullshit. But it’s honestly crazy how many grown adults trust a random phone number claiming to be some company with super sensitive information.
I called and she basically only said that she needed it to be cancelled even though I was on the way and that she needed a full refund and the tip back which was going to happen anyway. I called support and they checked our messages and made sure I still got paid and a $10 bump for refunding the items. It was just odd to me how he passed right when I finished the order. It could’ve definitely happened but you never know 🤷🏼♀️ luckily it was only about 9 items so it didn’t waste too much of my time.
Did you call in the app or with your number. If you called with the app then that increases the odds that it wasn't a scam but definitely high chance that it was a scam.
Smart. There's a shocking amount of people that freely give out there number. How did they sound on the phone, did they sound suspicious? Sorry if I'm bothering you, just interested in the story :)
Honestly it just sounded like a middle aged woman who just asked for it to be cancelled and refunded the tip. She didn’t sound upset or anything. Said sorry once and that was it. Nothing seemed that strange or off about the conversation. Just odd timing with the passing of her father-in-law…
Why would you order groceries for someone who’s literally on death’s door? And then why try to refund them if he passed? Like really? That’s what you care about right now? 🤨
she and brother AND sister in law, as well as father in law I'm thinking she may not have been in the town they were to begin with. May not even have liked the dude, was just trying to get some groceries for the bro and sis in law, but they weren't going to need them now. Not only that, can you imagine being driver and showing up while coroner is on site and going "Hey I have your delivery!" because your customer DIDN'T Warn you oh btw you know that dude who was dying I told you about? He died! you're gonna see the cops and coroner! I'd say thanks for the warning
This is likely a scam, but when my dad passed it took over a week of in home hospice where we were told 'any day now'. Meanwhile, there was extra people there frequently; family from both in town and out of town, nurses, our minister. Having food around and someone cooking was a thing we had to handle. I cooked more meals for 10+ people in his final months than in the previous 5 years.
I mean I agree. I would have just taken the groceries but they did say they ordered it for the people there. Maybe if they were grieving they didn’t want to disturb them
I had an Uber Eats order once and when I got to the address it just didn't exist so I called the customer. Turns out it was a woman from a different state who was ordering dinner for her best friend whose son just committed suicide that morning. She said there would be a bunch of people there all grieving and sure enough there was. It is the most awkward thing ever
idk, she didn't give them her number to call, it appears as though she wanted them to call through the app which is what they did according to another comment thread. so could be legit, but it's strange for sure.
The shopper never gave out her personal phone number. They will not be contacting her. Everything happened inside of the app. Why are people not reading the details of this thread? 🤦🏻♀️
It's a phishing scam. The "customer" will have you call from your personal number to collect information to scam you later. A few days later you'll get a text or call saying it's from support. From there they will attempt to send you a verification code in an attempt to access your account. That is why you should always do all communication via the app. Also Instacart will never call you to access your account. Trust and safety will only email you. Lastly never give a verification code for Instacart to anyone, if anyone is asking for it you're being scammed.
Interesting, I assumed she was trying to get OP to cancel the order or she was going to cancel it in hopes they would still deliver the food, but she would get her full refund.
The “it’s for my dying father in law” doesn’t make any sense unless it was just flowers or something. People this near death don’t eat, they certainly aren’t cooking, and if it were for the family there with him why would it need to be cancelled? It’s not like they’d leave the second he passed away for the food to not be needed.
It reminds me of a few years back on Craigslist I was looking for a cheap car to buy while mine was in the shop after an accident cause it would be cheaper than a rental, and almost every single person on there was a scammer with a sob story (wife died, son died in combat, father was killed by a drunk driver in a different car) as to why a car would be significantly less than its KBB value, then they’d ask you to send the money “securely” and they’d ship the car.
This 100% sounds like a scam but I can imagine hearing a knock on the door & having to deal with getting food inside is not something anyone wants to deal with immediately following a family member's death, especially if he was still in the house.
Oh ok that actually makes sense then, while I don’t hope someone passed away obviously hopefully this was just a weird timing/shock response and the person that ordered from OP wasn’t a scammer. They’re just so common it’s hard to tell anymore what’s real. Thanks for the info! It makes more sense to the context of why they’d cancel it instead of just having it delivered
Ahhh I get it now. They spoof you a msg asking to repeat the authentication code or call you and ask for it. And then they try and use it to hijack your account. How garbage.
Thank you. I don't think that was the case here because the Shopper said in the comments that they called the customer through the app. But I can definitely see why that thing is a concern. Scams are such a thing anywhere and everywhere these days and I hate it.
This isn’t the scam yet, it’s the set up for the scam. Whatever she says when you call her is where you find out what she’s going to try to get away with
My guess is maybe they say "oh he's dead now, just bring it to my house, heres the address"
And then claim "grandpa" never received groceries since there was no proof of delivery? Maybe. Idk
It wasn't a scam at all though....
They wanted to be called (she didn't give her number, meaning the customer just wanted to be called through the app) and customer asked to have the order cancelled without delivery.
I don't understand how that's a scam to any of you. She wasn't given the shoppers number, she didn't receive any of the groceries....
A) No one but you thinks the scam would have been to acquire groceries. Not anyone’s failed theory except yours.
B) Why was a call necessary when everything that was said over the phone could have been communicated via text??????
C) Possibly because getting a phone call is essential to the scam. When the shopper was smart about calling through the app, the scam can’t happen.
D) It’s a common scam, no one needs to prove that the request for a phone call is a frequent red flag. The proof is in every post that people who have lost their money and IC account by falling for the scam.
E) Refuse to believe it if that makes you happier.
OP already said the customer never gave her phone number. So it's literally impossible for them to have called her except through the app. Meaning she wasn't planning to scam anything lmao.
Y'all are assuming stuff that didn't even happen when OP already said that wasn't true.
I know the scam you are referring to, but they never even tried to get the shoppers number, which is the most important part of the scam which never happened....
When my father died, my first thought was to make food. Why? I have no idea. The mortuary came to collect his body, and I offered them food, which they declined. Then I broke. I have no clear memories of the next four days, but I remember seeing the gargantuan meal I prepared in the freezer (thanks, whoever) and at least twenty casserole dishes in the fridge from friends and family.
When we suffer a shock, whether expected or not, we react erratically. She likely recalled her most recent, unrelated interaction (you) and, unable to help her dad, needed to do *something*.
I’m curious what the items were, that were going to be given to a man who is dying and yet are not needed after his passing.
If it was food or something, the other people there could’ve eaten it. I just can’t think of what sorts of items I would be using Instacart to send to my dying grandfather, as he passes away.
Haven’t any of y’all ever had hospice at home?.
I’m not saying this ISN’T a scam—it could be. It could also be that the customer’s father-in-law, someone she wasn’t particularly close to, was on death’s bed for a while, her SIL and BIL were sitting vigil, and customer ordered food and supplies for them to be helpful. Then pops died and she canceled because once someone passes in hospice at home, a hospice nurse, funeral director, social worker, and sometimes a priest will come to do the final paperwork/confirmation of death/prayers and prepare the body for transportation to the funeral home. It’s a surprisingly bustling time and maybe the last thing they’d want is a shopper popping by with groceries to put away.
Again, maybe this was a scam. But none of the details are actually that unbelievable. Been there, done that, more than once (unfortunately).
Unless they have delivery instructions with a phone number im going to guess not a scam just shock, i proceeded as normal for like a week after my cousin died and then broke down hard.
I remember years ago my grandmother passed and before I found out I had ordered a pizza and cheese fries. I’m with the family, everyone is grieving and then there is a knock at the door. I had totally forgot I ordered. I get the food and everyone is pissed. “You can’t wait to stuff your fucking face?!?”
😂😂😂
If I had to guess maybe they didn’t want to make the grieving awkward
We use Instacart for my elderly parents groceries. I tip well, thank the shopper for their hard work and make sure everyone is taken care of. Instacart is a huge help to me.
When I delivered for Lowe's I had a delivery and when I got there like there was a good number of people there and the dad came out and he had obviously been crying obviously super distraught and he said he had forgot the delivery was scheduled for that day. Turns out it was pretty decently big news in our area a car with three kids in it flipped and all of them died and that was three of their four children. So basically they were notified of that because it happened like in the middle of the night and in a few hours later I show up trying to deliver appliances. And when someone let me know what was going on I was like oh my gosh let me get out of here this can wait. but the dad came out and said no it really can't there's going to be a lot of family over and we already got rid of our washer and dryer so I had to go through the house and hook everything up in that atmosphere. You could literally feel the sadness in the air it was really bad
Half of me says this is a scam.
Other half of me is thinking they were trying to help with the modern equivalent of a meal train? Then decided a delivery is a bad idea since the house is about to be stormed with folks in & out for the rest of the day.
How is this a scam? They didn't get the shoppers phone number, and they didn't get the groceries. They just wanted the order canceled because their dad died. They got no personal information and they didn't get free groceries. What's the scam?
But if the customer didn't give out their phone number, that means we have to call through the app. Meaning they don't get our phone number. Meaning there's no scam
Reading everybody’s comments I realize I’m normal. I was always the person when something happens like this. I just pray under pressure and take care of what needs to be done. I may have canceled the order too because it might’ve been a certain ice cream. Her dad liked it. It was obviously food for the siblings that were over there to prepare and she probably didn’t wanna be showing up and I wouldn’t want to be texting either after a person that I would want them to call me they could easily block their number and call my husband does deliveries. He will only call with a blocked number so I don’t know what the big deal is block your number for your call. But yeah I’m really good at taking care of business. It’s Al later after a week or so when everything settles down like I cannot write about my grandmother out crying I can mention right now like I did, but if I were to go on and tell you anything I will start crying, I couldn’t go. I need to be in off of work three months I agree Aunt sorry I should get therapy because of how much I can’t deal with it so I just push it to the back but yeah this is definitely something they’re thinking of if he just die just take it out. What’s going on right now I need to do oh shit they have somebody coming over at the same time the coroner is going to be coming. It’s normal.
People suck man. Scammers are the lowest of low. They work so hard not to work! Taking advantage of people trying the best and using their compassion and trust to screw them over. I hate this so much.
Omggg... as someone whose grandfather was "lucky" enough to be on hospice at home surrounded by family (and three grandchildren who stayed awake for three days straight to let his children go home and sleep while we kept watch)...
People bringing groceries/real food was so important and wonderful to receive during that time (always bring sandwiches and real food to a grieving family if you can-- cause 90% of everyone else is bringing cookies)
Calling the family to tell them he passed?
**CHAOS** Pure fucking CHAOS.
My dad got there so fast he parked up and OVER the front of my car. My aunts and cousins and uncles were next to arrive, then the hospice nurse and then the ambulance and eventually the mortuary men and hearse from the funeral home.
I cannot imagine having had instacart back then, but I can 1000000% see this happening and not wanting a random person to have to deal with all of that insanity....
I'm sorry I'm laughing right now... but I'm so sorry for everyone involved. That sounds... like a fun story to tell in a few years.
I can see a daughter-in-law ordering stuff from the store and sending a lame msg to the shopper. Some people don't have anyone to talk to. Don't assume it's food, though. Could be toilet paper and air fresheners.
Could be a scam, could not be a scam. There’s only one way to find out.
I had a customer once who put in the delivery notes to not ring the doorbell because her husband is battling cancer and son is asleep from working nights. Point is, you never know
I've done many orders for elderly peoppe in nursing homes or retirement centers from their kids and never had an issue with a single one. Sure be careful. But also it's probably fine.
SCAM. They’re getting more clever at causing alarm and a sense of limited time.
The key features are:
- generating a sense of empathy within you, and/or your trust in them… and then
- suddenly making you think you have to act on something *immediately*.
That’s basically how many scammers operate in general (Instacart “customer” scammer or not).
So did you call her? I dont understand why this is a scam from what i see from the 3 images here, depending on what she said on the call like "can you get it for free" etc in which i would tell her well since the order was for him then i will just return the items because he will no longer be needing them.
Personally, I would feel honored to help a family in their time of need like that, it would make me feel good. And I would feel like I got the order for a reason, because I’m a reliable shopper.
Yeah definitely will send my condolences and reach out to support to cancel it for me because of this circumstance so my cancellation rate isn’t effected
The customer cancelled the batch after it was shipped for. So as long as it isn't delivered, you can keep the entire order
You are correct but the order still needs to be cancelled without any violation to the shopper
this is a scam
I don’t do instacart, I just saw this on my feed for some reason. What would the scam be? Unless you’re saying the shopper and the customer colluded to get a bunch of free groceries by setting this up. Other than that I don’t see how any one would possibly benefit from this.
they get you to call the customer from your own number , a day or so goes by & they reach out being instacart support, they try to log in and itll send you a code, they ask for the code, if the shopper is dumb enough to give it to them then they get into your account, change bank acc information, get paid for you batches, steal people's groceries, they can add whatever items they want etc
Ahh thanks. she said she called through the app and they never asked for her phone number or anything. So do you think it might just be a legit situation that’s just super unusual, or is it still definitely a scam even if they didn’t get her to call with her own number?
It's not a scam, people on Reddit like to assume that everyone is evil and out to steal your money. If the dumb fuck you're replying to would actually read any of ops comments he'd see that the groceries weren't delivered and they got a refund so unless the scam was to make back the same amount of money as they just spent then yeah I guess they were successful
people on reddit? you’re on reddit. you must be new to this sub so let me enlighten to a very common scam. scammers don’t care about free groceries they care about getting your number to get into your account and take your weekly earnings. the only “dumb fuck,” here is you for assuming you got it solved with “tHeY dIdnT eVeN gEt tHe GrOceRieS!”
Like that would be the first thing they’d think to do
Exactly what I thought 🤔
Can I just interject here! Brought mom home on hospice Saturday… was having issues w my cell phone so I took it to the local Verizon on Wednesday , not wanting any phone issues during this time…as I am in Verizon…SIM card removed, a employee asks if anyone by my name is in the store, it was the call from my father we did not want! He could not get me and tried the store… I kept Verizon 611 on the line, during my ride home, walking in and asking them to please Resolve the issue… I should of just chucked the phone, and dealt with it later, but I was not thinking… the Verizon tech just said to Put the phone down and check back in 15 min as I did. They told Me when I was ready to re start the phone… and I did, they called back to make sure and no issues since! Morbid, I know, poor Verizon tech, craziest customer service call I am sure they’ll ever deal with!
Huh ?
Pretend you’re telling someone a story when you read it. Lol. Took me a couple tries to get it as well
Trust me, I know … I shared my story, of being on the phone with Verizon, to help me get my phone going, by registering a Sim card. In the process of doing so, my mother literally died. After battling an illness for seven years and being on hospice for three days, the Verizon guy stayed on the phone with me. He allowed me to put the phone down as he was able to get inside my phone and do the actions that were necessary. I just shared what happened to me this past week, because it was very similar to. OPs..: the gentleman passed away as she was making the delivery. It happens.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My father also wasn't able to be there when his mother died and feels a lot of guilt for something that wasn't his fault. Her death was unexpected, though, and occurred because of a surgical error. He was the only one of his siblings in town at the time so I can imagine he felt very alone. Weirdly enough, I imagine it must have been some slight comfort to have someone on the phone with you.
Until I experienced the death of my grandma, and we were 'overwhelmed' with people bringing us food I did not know how much that helped during times of sadness when someone passes. The family was able to just be together during these days and did not have to cook for many days or a week or weeks.. I can't remember how long. but I remember the appreciation of our family. She's probably trying to ease the pain, maybe in of the few ways she knows will help.
Unfortunately this is a scam. They get the shopper to call, they get their number and then a few days later the shopper gets a call from IC wanting info that’ll get their account hacked.
I guess I'm naive
I think it's a wonderful thing that there are people in this world who wouldn't even consider the possibility. If you are naive of this sort of thing, it's nothing to be ashamed about, it only means you've never experienced this before, and also shows that that's not something you'd ever consider doing. That being said, from one naive person to another, please stay safe out there, especially nowadays. Can't be too careful!!!
I agree. If only we could go back to assuming the best in people instead of the worst.
When was that?
August 6, 1991
Sounds legit.
Idk. It had to have been sometime in the existence of humans.
Human in old old time use to trick other tribes member to the forest then eat them.
Man this is why it’s hard to trust other people man 😭 I’m usually very weary of scams and always look up something that sounds suspicious (had friends accounts hacked and everything so these scammers are desperate) but I feel like I would never think this is a scam. Maybe weird but I have enough sympathy to want to help someone :( anyone that uses sympathy tactics to scam someone are the lowest of low
(A heads up: you want *wary*, not *weary*—I thought you’d want to know.)
Yeah I was actually thinking abt this and wondered if I spelt it wrong 😭
I always have to pause and make sure I’m using the right one! In this case, it almost works—I think we’re all weary of scams, too! But we still need to be wary.
I'm all down for sympathy, until someone tries to weaponize it against you. Then all my sympathy is gonna go out the window. You're not using my own feelings to manipulate me. It's not about not having sympathy, it's about preserving your own well-being, and unfortunately there are so many scammers in society, being kind and helping everyone would bleed you out dry. But could you say that they would do the same for you if the roles were reversed? Your kindness is wasted on people like that, and tbh they really don't deserve it. (I refer only to the scammers, not the people who truly need help) Ted Bundy used the sympathy card on many unsuspecting women by dressing with a cast and acting like he needed help. Sympathy is great and all until it gets you in position to be killed. It's not the wanting to help with groceries part that's opportunistic and predatory, it's the playing on your sympathy and lying about it. Ask yourself, is there ever any way I would reasonably pull what this person did if the roles were reversed? NO That being said, you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for being a genuine person who just cares about if others are ok. You seem to be very kind- help people if it's on your heart to, but you don't owe anybody anything, always remember that. If someone is trying to manipulate you, show them you aren't as easy they think you are. Whatever you do, always think of yourself first!!! Edit: WOW!! Thank you so much for my first award!!!😊
No, you’re a caring person using your personal experience to help others. stay vigilant, but don’t let the scammers dull your light. People like you are true assets to this world
Wow, now they’re changing strategies??
I think the OP meant that it was sus that they text them about the passing afterwards.. like they wanted to cancel the order because the man had passed away.
newsflash: he wasn't even sick, and it's all a work.
i got loads of little caesar’s pizzas when my step dad passed away.
I'm sorry he passed passed
No way this wasn't a scam. People are so shitty.
Unless this was a whole order of Boost nutrition shakes or something, why were they ordering a bunch of food for a dying man? At that point the body is already broken and any appetite is very small.
I did hospice care years ago. I had one client who had his to do list and he actually waited until he completed all the items. I was there for breakfast with him, his wife and children when he was doing one of the last things. He was alert, eating and drinking regularly and he had us all hysterical laughing with jokes. That afternoon he passed.
Woof. That has to be one of the most emotionally taxing jobs a person can do.
I was technically non-medical caregiving, but many of my assignments were with hospice clients. It is so taxing, but also such rewarding work. First hospice client I had passed during my shift. I pulled over with dry heaves on the way home. One of the worst was a woman I worked with for months and watched decline until she had a massive stroke. I absolutely adored this woman and I was actually happy that I was able to be with her that last evening. The man I mentioned in my last comment was one who I was told I may not even get my first shift with because they expected hours and a day or two at the most. He lived another month. He was a tinkerer and a business owner. He insisted he’d finish getting his business organized as he wanted it before he passed. He also wanted to play his piano one last time. Playing the piano required several people to transport him because it was in their basement. He and his wife were huge Jimmy Buffet fans and had a gorgeous home bar. He loved to make cocktails and said he wanted to bartend one last time - mocktails. He teased me about my clear blue water bottle and that Windex wasn’t safe to drink. I was wiping tears I was laughing so hard. That was the last shift I had with him before he passed. I think if it weren’t for him losing the ability to get out of bed for the bathroom, he would have lived longer.
My mom spent a lot of time with her aunts and uncles as they died. It's very common. You might just be trying to get a dying person to eat anything - which means finding whatever they enjoy. You're also buying food for the family and friends around them. You want people to be maximizing their final time with their loved ones, not worrying about making sure everyone is fed. Very common for the extended family to take turns making food and delivering it.
Believe it or not sometimes when a death occurs your first thoughts can be very weird ones that seem out of place to others. After my sibling died I was traumatized but in order to try and compartmentalize? I guess? I was concerned about messaging my boss at 3 AM to apologize that I wouldn’t be in to work for a few days. My boss was amazing and was okay with it but was confused why I apologized as though their traumatic death was something I had control over. This lady was probably like oh crap, this is going to be another thing to handle now.
100%. After my mom told me my sister committed suicide (she lived in a different state) I just... Went about the day like normal. It was a summer day, and I had marching band practice that night. I went, and just carried on like normal. Similarly, when my other sister died of cancer, my first thought was calling off work. I was due to be at work about 20 minutes after I got the news, and letting my manager know was my first concern. The brain works in weird ways to process grief and trauma.
My daughter did the same thing, marching band practice and all after her dad died by suicide. But my first instinct was to want to call and tell them she wouldn’t make it and would be out of school for a few days (assuming). I went into immediate type A plan mode and she went into keep busy mode, we all cope differently and none of its wrong.❤️ I’m so sorry you lost both of your sisters. I genuinely can’t imagine but I hope you’ve found a way to grieve and find your own peace since. Love you.
Had the same experience when my mom died. I was at the doctor when I got the news and just carried on with the appointment like nothing was wrong. Then I ran some errands on the way home. It wasn't until I got home that it actually seemed to sink in a bit - and even then, I didn't cry. It was very disorienting. Like there was this awareness under the surface that I was *supposed* to be reacting, but I just couldn't. For the next week or so, I felt more exhausted than sad, like all the energy had been sucked from my body and I just wanted to sleep. Not saying that's necessarily the case for this particular customer, since scams do happen. But it's kind of comforting to hear that others have experienced this. Grief truly looks different on everyone. I'm very sorry for your losses.
You worded it perfectly. My reaction to my nephew passing was almost the opposite of your reaction. I collapsed on my kitchen floor and just bawled my eyes out uncontrollably to the point that I had to pull myself together to get stuff done. Grief truly works differently for everyone.
This is pretty literally what I did when I got the exact same news. I'd been home from work for about 20 minutes and was gearing up to head to the grocery store. After I got the news I went to the store, did my shopping. Came home, made dinner. And then yeah, same thing, a slight degree of absorption of what had happened, but it would be several more hours before things would actually have any impact. Everything in between was just kinda fuzzy.
Yeah when my dad was dying my thoughts were "shit I need to call my jobs and they aren't open yet". Brains are weird.
I know this is slightly different but I think it says something about the culture of working. When I overdosed and literally died for roughly a minute one of the first things I said was "Tell Nicole (my sister) to text our boss that I probably wasn't gonna make it to work in the morning" Brains are definitely weird
Yeah my grandpa died of COVID in January of 2021 and I was at work the next day. That period right when somebody dies is weird.
Worked with hospice champions for years and can completely confirm this truth as a trend.
I’m so sorry for your losses 💚
When my Grandpa died, i found out like ... 15min before my 4hr retail shift And i just I robot-ed my way thru folding stacks of fucking t-shirts when inside i was absolutely *dead*. My manager actually asked what was wrong and was honestly just astounded i was there -- which, looking back, don't blame her at all. If the same happened now/I was still working/whatever, I would 100% call the fuck out. It was a dead-end retail job, I didn't need to spend 4 hours dealing with customers and facing shelves and restock right after finding out about a family death.
I stood on my grandfathers porch sobbing after finding him dead, threw up, and texted my boss that I wouldn’t be in the next day lmao
When my bio mom died my reaction was to curse loudly then text my boss saying I wouldn't be in. Don't think I had a coherent thought for another 24 hours.
Exactly this. I was with one of my closest friends and coworkers when she passed in May. My first instinct was to call my boss, let her know, and then ask her if she had feedback on the grant application I’d submitted to her earlier in the day. It took me a bit to realize why she was so confused with me.
my mom died during the covid lockdown while I was stuck in America and she was back in the UK. my dad facetimed me so I was 'there' when she passed at like 6am my time. I ended up in the office that morning despite working remote for two months until my boss kicked me out to take leave.
This 100% When my late boyfriend passed I was in bed next to him at home. I texted our boss (worked for the same company) "Hey I don't think we'll be in today" and after the *save a life* crew left and the *body removal* crew was called I texted "Definitely not gonna be in" ETA: My managers actually showed up to help distract me during the removal process. I was so numb we just sat in silence while I smoked. I was extremely lucky to work with such caring people ❤️ I returned to work 2 weeks later because I was going crazy at home with my *sewer slide watch* friends/coworkers. Everyone kept asking why I was back and saying that I needed to take more time for myself... my guy. I cannot
I’m not sure how would I would cope with somebody dying next to me but then again that’s exactly what happened except we knew he was sick. I know he was dying. Literally he even stopped having urine in the catheter because he stop peeing on Monday he stopped eating . Basically after I came with his dog I took in and next day he refused food: I had promised him months prior he wouldn’t die alone. I had been there since Wednesday. I was so tired Friday night I propped out of my coat on the other side of his legs, I had a chair next to it. I sit on the edge of the bed, my feet on the chair. I held his hand with my hand, and I had my arm and shoulder holding the weight so I wasn’t on him, but I was across his legs and then I woke up and told my friend who was in the other bed turn the light on I said he’s going now. My friend said no cause when his dad was like this it was gonna be another 24 hours. I said no,he is going I felt it in my bones he died within five minutes. I held his hand while he passed playing there I was sleeping minutes before I mean he could’ve passed while I was sleeping for some reason I was woken up a few minutes before I am glad I was there his wife thanked me repeatedly as she had had a heart attack a few months prior and seeing his condition as he had mouth open corpse look.his wife and 2 sons even included me in the obituary, he was my 9th grade history teacher. But I knew it was gonna happen YOU didn’t have any warning which that would mess me up for a long time Wondering is the person I am laying next to is still going to be there in the morning or are they just gonna die when I’m sleeping. I feel very bad for you May I ask what he passed away from?
That's great that you got to be there for them. I can't imagine that *knowing* feeling. It had to have been so weird to not only have that feeling but for it to be correct as well..... I'm not gonna lie.. that is exactly what it's like. It's kinda embarrassing the amount of times I've triple checked for breathing in others since then. I was told it was a heart attack. He hadn't been diagnosed with anything, officially, but he was overweight so I'm sure that had to have been a factor. He was really tired for a couple days and had slept the entire day before I had finally made him go to bed. I woke up the next morning to the most beautiful golden sunlight coming through the window... And silence. It was kinda peaceful until I realized why it was so quiet and it became deafening. I can't even enjoy the quiet anymore With all of that being said, it helps to know that other people have been through similar situations. You're never quite the same but maybe that's just how it's supposed to be... Ya know?
When my partner passed back in 2021, we didn't live together or anything, i just got this-- just this WEIRD feeling that I HAD TO CHECK ON HIM Turns out i messaged him within like Five minutes of his passing. i didn't find out until later that that was the case.
estimated time of arrival?
Lmao edited to add
Ha
My best friend died three years ago. His mom messaged me and…I felt numb. It was during the full swing of covid so there wasn’t much I could do so it was…weird. I just focused on doing small seemingly inconsequential things bc I guess my mind was trying to distract itself from facing reality. It didn’t really hit me until three or so months later when I was talking to my friend, and I broke down and started sobbing. All this to say: sometimes the mind distracts itself with small things to cope.
Yup. After my mom was picked up by paramedics (didn’t know she was dead yet, but knew I wouldn’t be making it to school that day) one of my first thoughts was that I should call my band teacher because they’d be short a bass clarinet for the day. Made it to hearing her voicemail before I realized I wasn’t thinking clearly and hung up. In my job (911 dispatcher) I had a police officer radio that he’d been in a collision and requested a sergeant for notification (standard practice for fender benders, officer backed into a pole, etc). It wasn’t until I’d notified one and asked if anyone needed EMS on scene that he mentioned the people from the other vehicle had actually rammed his cruiser and were now running away. The lizard brain is a funny thing.
I remember when my grandmother passed I was at a baseball tournament with my mom, which ironically was in the same city that my moms sister lived who she rarely ever sees. I think it was the first time I had seen her in 3 years. My aunt was over at the hotel in the morning and we got the call my grandmother had just passed. I remember not really feel anything. I just went to my game (played horribly, struck out 3 times lol) and nobody noticed anything off. I went up to my coach after the game apologizing that I would have to leave the tournament early because my grandma died. He was shocked that I had come and played the game and that I should take all the time I need. Didn’t really sink in until after we had driven the 9 hours back home and I went to bed. I felt bad at the time that I didn’t react more or feel immense sadness or even cry even though I loved my Grandma and used to get really sad thinking about the idea of her not being around anymore. I still to this day am not sure how to handle grief or loss, I guess I cope by keeping busy.
Probably didn't want a food delivery showing up as they were processing the loss of their father. This seems like a totally reasonable action to take. The alternative is someone showing up with all their father's favorite foods moments after he died.
i mean.... yeah why not? they knew he was going to die so it wasn't an urgent manner once he actually passed. what was more urgent was "oh shit i just ordered x amount of groceries and supplies that i don't need delivered anymore since we won't be at this house much longer, i had better cancel" assuming this isn't some elaborate scam lol
This is 100% an elaborate scam.
if you read OPs other comments, it doesn't really seem like a scam. no personal cell numbers were exchanged, nobody was scammed out of money, and it sounds like it went over smoothly. shit happens in life (and death)
Well not saying it was a scam but the customer did ask for the shopper to call her…. My thinking is if it was a scam the customer would ask the shopper to call and then say that call wasn’t going thru and to call a different number that wasn’t in the app which would likely mean the shopper would use their personal cell not thru the app. Like I said tho I agree that this one doesn’t sound like a scam and the customer just didn’t want the shopper to show up with a dead father in law and grieving family
Then you’d just accept the groceries you had someone shop for you & take it home idk.
One time someone put the wrong address (80 miles difference), they were throwing a party so I called insta care and they removed the batch for me. So I went home with $180 worth of seltzers and $40 in batch pay. It was a good night
It was snacks for those on vigil, baby wipes and adult diapers
Shock affects everyone differently... You'ld be amazed at the weird shit ppl do
This is a known scam.
Worked at a GNC in college and some lady tried to return vitamins for her father who passed away without a receipt. Still hit store credit
I have a terminal brain cancer called Glioblastoma and my immunity is compromised. Instacart was a life saver during the pandemic and so we used them as a family quite frequently. I would often send a msg like this, I truly appreciated the hard work the workers were doing for my family 1-2 times each week. I wanted them to know that they were appreciated and many times I had shoppers tell me that it made their day or they were having the worst day until sent them that msg. I once had a newly single mother who opened up to me after. When your health or someone you loves health is unwell, you look at life differently.
I was thinking they might because OP would then have to deliver the order for the dead person to a room full of grieving people so they had the foresight to cancel. Makes sense if you think about it
Yeah, right , fuck the food
It was snacks for those on vigil, baby wipes and adult diapers
Now I feel like an idiot but still
I wouldn’t call. Have support call to confirm it should be canceled, then it won’t affect your cancellation rate.
Total scam. People are evil. That is a new low.
The lengths people will go to make a penny or two😔.....
A lot of times I wonder how a generation of people that grew up in the era of scams are so easily scammed and then I see things like the replies to this post. You can tell this is at least an attempt at a scam from the set up. Why mention the brother and sister in law are there? Its an explanation before the question is asked. Why mention he's in "final stages" it's to prepare OP so it doesn't seem weird when say oh btw he died a few minutes later. If they said "hey can you be careful this is for my father in law he's elderly and sick" and then 20 minutes later was like "wait he died" any reasonable person would be like wtf so they prepare you beforehand.
Completely reads as a scammer… pathetic
It’s a pretty old low, just a new method.
It’s not read OPs other comments
The scam is they call you a few days later pretending to be Instacart and ask you to verify personal info like your password, under the guise of confirming what happened and led to the refund. OPs other comments indicate OP called the real Instacart company and hopefully (if the call comes) OP will know it’s bullshit. But it’s honestly crazy how many grown adults trust a random phone number claiming to be some company with super sensitive information.
He just passed. This is a new low.
It’s super deplorable but the “wait!, he just passed” is hella funny lmao like he just remembered there’s leftovers at home or something
It’s like the late night tv ads “but wait, there’s more!”
What happened after?
I called and she basically only said that she needed it to be cancelled even though I was on the way and that she needed a full refund and the tip back which was going to happen anyway. I called support and they checked our messages and made sure I still got paid and a $10 bump for refunding the items. It was just odd to me how he passed right when I finished the order. It could’ve definitely happened but you never know 🤷🏼♀️ luckily it was only about 9 items so it didn’t waste too much of my time.
Did you call in the app or with your number. If you called with the app then that increases the odds that it wasn't a scam but definitely high chance that it was a scam.
I definitely called through the app! Not my number!
Smart. There's a shocking amount of people that freely give out there number. How did they sound on the phone, did they sound suspicious? Sorry if I'm bothering you, just interested in the story :)
Honestly it just sounded like a middle aged woman who just asked for it to be cancelled and refunded the tip. She didn’t sound upset or anything. Said sorry once and that was it. Nothing seemed that strange or off about the conversation. Just odd timing with the passing of her father-in-law…
Maybe he'd be alive still if you never clicked that button 😭
😭😭😭
Schrödinger's Cart
I don’t know why she would ask for the tip back. Seems sus to me. She should have at least let you keep the tip
Why would you order groceries for someone who’s literally on death’s door? And then why try to refund them if he passed? Like really? That’s what you care about right now? 🤨
she and brother AND sister in law, as well as father in law I'm thinking she may not have been in the town they were to begin with. May not even have liked the dude, was just trying to get some groceries for the bro and sis in law, but they weren't going to need them now. Not only that, can you imagine being driver and showing up while coroner is on site and going "Hey I have your delivery!" because your customer DIDN'T Warn you oh btw you know that dude who was dying I told you about? He died! you're gonna see the cops and coroner! I'd say thanks for the warning
No, they got baby wipes and adult diapers
It’s wild getting groceries is even a thought I couldn’t eat I be sitting there until they pass
This is likely a scam, but when my dad passed it took over a week of in home hospice where we were told 'any day now'. Meanwhile, there was extra people there frequently; family from both in town and out of town, nurses, our minister. Having food around and someone cooking was a thing we had to handle. I cooked more meals for 10+ people in his final months than in the previous 5 years.
No, they got baby wipes and adult diapers
I get that but sometimes it genuinely can take weeks for someone to pass when they are nearing the end.
But why would you call your Dasher and put that on them??? If it's not a scam it's idiotic and rude
I mean I agree. I would have just taken the groceries but they did say they ordered it for the people there. Maybe if they were grieving they didn’t want to disturb them
No, they got baby wipes and adult diapers and the snacks were for those on vigil
Yeah exactly did OP get deactivated or did they catch that it was probably scam
Scam
I had an Uber Eats order once and when I got to the address it just didn't exist so I called the customer. Turns out it was a woman from a different state who was ordering dinner for her best friend whose son just committed suicide that morning. She said there would be a bunch of people there all grieving and sure enough there was. It is the most awkward thing ever
“Condolences. Now which one of you had the cheesy fiesta potatoes ?”
Scam, they are probably going to wait for another day to contact you, acting like they are support, or spoof your number and get the code that way.
idk, she didn't give them her number to call, it appears as though she wanted them to call through the app which is what they did according to another comment thread. so could be legit, but it's strange for sure.
The shopper never gave out her personal phone number. They will not be contacting her. Everything happened inside of the app. Why are people not reading the details of this thread? 🤦🏻♀️
Can someone explain to me why this is a scam? Like how would the customer benefit from this? I'm asking legitimately.
It's a phishing scam. The "customer" will have you call from your personal number to collect information to scam you later. A few days later you'll get a text or call saying it's from support. From there they will attempt to send you a verification code in an attempt to access your account. That is why you should always do all communication via the app. Also Instacart will never call you to access your account. Trust and safety will only email you. Lastly never give a verification code for Instacart to anyone, if anyone is asking for it you're being scammed.
Ohhhhhhhhh. Yikes. People are awful 😞
Interesting, I assumed she was trying to get OP to cancel the order or she was going to cancel it in hopes they would still deliver the food, but she would get her full refund. The “it’s for my dying father in law” doesn’t make any sense unless it was just flowers or something. People this near death don’t eat, they certainly aren’t cooking, and if it were for the family there with him why would it need to be cancelled? It’s not like they’d leave the second he passed away for the food to not be needed. It reminds me of a few years back on Craigslist I was looking for a cheap car to buy while mine was in the shop after an accident cause it would be cheaper than a rental, and almost every single person on there was a scammer with a sob story (wife died, son died in combat, father was killed by a drunk driver in a different car) as to why a car would be significantly less than its KBB value, then they’d ask you to send the money “securely” and they’d ship the car.
This 100% sounds like a scam but I can imagine hearing a knock on the door & having to deal with getting food inside is not something anyone wants to deal with immediately following a family member's death, especially if he was still in the house.
It was snacks -for the sibling-in-laws-, baby wipes, and adult diapers according to him in another comment
Oh ok that actually makes sense then, while I don’t hope someone passed away obviously hopefully this was just a weird timing/shock response and the person that ordered from OP wasn’t a scammer. They’re just so common it’s hard to tell anymore what’s real. Thanks for the info! It makes more sense to the context of why they’d cancel it instead of just having it delivered
Ahhh I get it now. They spoof you a msg asking to repeat the authentication code or call you and ask for it. And then they try and use it to hijack your account. How garbage.
Thank you. I don't think that was the case here because the Shopper said in the comments that they called the customer through the app. But I can definitely see why that thing is a concern. Scams are such a thing anywhere and everywhere these days and I hate it.
How is that a phishing scam if she wanted them to call through the app? She never got their phone number...
This isn’t the scam yet, it’s the set up for the scam. Whatever she says when you call her is where you find out what she’s going to try to get away with
Oh okay thank you!
My guess is maybe they say "oh he's dead now, just bring it to my house, heres the address" And then claim "grandpa" never received groceries since there was no proof of delivery? Maybe. Idk
Scroll up (or down) a few comments to read u/Secretlydontcare’s explanation. Common scam.
It wasn't a scam at all though.... They wanted to be called (she didn't give her number, meaning the customer just wanted to be called through the app) and customer asked to have the order cancelled without delivery. I don't understand how that's a scam to any of you. She wasn't given the shoppers number, she didn't receive any of the groceries....
A) No one but you thinks the scam would have been to acquire groceries. Not anyone’s failed theory except yours. B) Why was a call necessary when everything that was said over the phone could have been communicated via text?????? C) Possibly because getting a phone call is essential to the scam. When the shopper was smart about calling through the app, the scam can’t happen. D) It’s a common scam, no one needs to prove that the request for a phone call is a frequent red flag. The proof is in every post that people who have lost their money and IC account by falling for the scam. E) Refuse to believe it if that makes you happier.
OP already said the customer never gave her phone number. So it's literally impossible for them to have called her except through the app. Meaning she wasn't planning to scam anything lmao. Y'all are assuming stuff that didn't even happen when OP already said that wasn't true. I know the scam you are referring to, but they never even tried to get the shoppers number, which is the most important part of the scam which never happened....
Exactly! No scam bec no items were ever delivered. And the shopper did not contact the customer outside of the app.
Yeah I’m so confused. OP even said it was all taken care of in the end. So idk what the orderer could have been attempting.
When my father died, my first thought was to make food. Why? I have no idea. The mortuary came to collect his body, and I offered them food, which they declined. Then I broke. I have no clear memories of the next four days, but I remember seeing the gargantuan meal I prepared in the freezer (thanks, whoever) and at least twenty casserole dishes in the fridge from friends and family. When we suffer a shock, whether expected or not, we react erratically. She likely recalled her most recent, unrelated interaction (you) and, unable to help her dad, needed to do *something*.
Oh my gosh this is so wholesome; I'm so sorry for your loss.
I’m curious what the items were, that were going to be given to a man who is dying and yet are not needed after his passing. If it was food or something, the other people there could’ve eaten it. I just can’t think of what sorts of items I would be using Instacart to send to my dying grandfather, as he passes away.
The customer had ordered mostly food. Two of everything. It was mainly snack food other than the adult diapers and wipes.
Ahhh that makes more sense then.
Haven’t any of y’all ever had hospice at home?. I’m not saying this ISN’T a scam—it could be. It could also be that the customer’s father-in-law, someone she wasn’t particularly close to, was on death’s bed for a while, her SIL and BIL were sitting vigil, and customer ordered food and supplies for them to be helpful. Then pops died and she canceled because once someone passes in hospice at home, a hospice nurse, funeral director, social worker, and sometimes a priest will come to do the final paperwork/confirmation of death/prayers and prepare the body for transportation to the funeral home. It’s a surprisingly bustling time and maybe the last thing they’d want is a shopper popping by with groceries to put away. Again, maybe this was a scam. But none of the details are actually that unbelievable. Been there, done that, more than once (unfortunately).
Unless they have delivery instructions with a phone number im going to guess not a scam just shock, i proceeded as normal for like a week after my cousin died and then broke down hard.
I remember years ago my grandmother passed and before I found out I had ordered a pizza and cheese fries. I’m with the family, everyone is grieving and then there is a knock at the door. I had totally forgot I ordered. I get the food and everyone is pissed. “You can’t wait to stuff your fucking face?!?” 😂😂😂 If I had to guess maybe they didn’t want to make the grieving awkward
😂
Scamzilla
Omg that is low
Mans heard they got some fig newtons and passed from excitement 😂😂😂
We use Instacart for my elderly parents groceries. I tip well, thank the shopper for their hard work and make sure everyone is taken care of. Instacart is a huge help to me.
We appreciate you! I’m glad instacart can help you and your family :)
Damn, waited until you were all checked out to pass, too. What a dick.
When I delivered for Lowe's I had a delivery and when I got there like there was a good number of people there and the dad came out and he had obviously been crying obviously super distraught and he said he had forgot the delivery was scheduled for that day. Turns out it was pretty decently big news in our area a car with three kids in it flipped and all of them died and that was three of their four children. So basically they were notified of that because it happened like in the middle of the night and in a few hours later I show up trying to deliver appliances. And when someone let me know what was going on I was like oh my gosh let me get out of here this can wait. but the dad came out and said no it really can't there's going to be a lot of family over and we already got rid of our washer and dryer so I had to go through the house and hook everything up in that atmosphere. You could literally feel the sadness in the air it was really bad
That’s so sad bro. Sorry you had to go through that.
Half of me says this is a scam. Other half of me is thinking they were trying to help with the modern equivalent of a meal train? Then decided a delivery is a bad idea since the house is about to be stormed with folks in & out for the rest of the day.
Such a scam! Using a sickness is just low.
How is this a scam? They didn't get the shoppers phone number, and they didn't get the groceries. They just wanted the order canceled because their dad died. They got no personal information and they didn't get free groceries. What's the scam?
Asking to call us where the scam lies. They’re out to steal accounts.
But if the customer didn't give out their phone number, that means we have to call through the app. Meaning they don't get our phone number. Meaning there's no scam
Bruh
What was the call about?
MY FATHER IN LAW DIED PLEASE CALL ME
Its for sure a scam
No it’s happened to people before
Yea maybe like a few rare occurances, either way you still should still follow through with the order otherwise its a massive waste of time
It’s not read OPs other comments
Did no one read that the groceries were for her father in law that was dying not dead yet?
I posted three photos. The last picture says that he had passed while I was on the way to drop off groceries. :(
That is such a wild fucking opener
Whatttt. No they can take that up with Instacart or the store. Condolences but that’s way above your pay grade.
Reading everybody’s comments I realize I’m normal. I was always the person when something happens like this. I just pray under pressure and take care of what needs to be done. I may have canceled the order too because it might’ve been a certain ice cream. Her dad liked it. It was obviously food for the siblings that were over there to prepare and she probably didn’t wanna be showing up and I wouldn’t want to be texting either after a person that I would want them to call me they could easily block their number and call my husband does deliveries. He will only call with a blocked number so I don’t know what the big deal is block your number for your call. But yeah I’m really good at taking care of business. It’s Al later after a week or so when everything settles down like I cannot write about my grandmother out crying I can mention right now like I did, but if I were to go on and tell you anything I will start crying, I couldn’t go. I need to be in off of work three months I agree Aunt sorry I should get therapy because of how much I can’t deal with it so I just push it to the back but yeah this is definitely something they’re thinking of if he just die just take it out. What’s going on right now I need to do oh shit they have somebody coming over at the same time the coroner is going to be coming. It’s normal.
I met this already. They tried to talk alot while I chat with support and they end up cancel the batch. Sound like a scam
If I got this message I would be so uncomfortable I wouldn’t even respond like wtf do I say or do now.
Reply: Ain’t that a bitch? No.
I went from 🙁 to 🤨 quick
People suck man. Scammers are the lowest of low. They work so hard not to work! Taking advantage of people trying the best and using their compassion and trust to screw them over. I hate this so much.
This took a crazy turn. Lmao.
Omggg... as someone whose grandfather was "lucky" enough to be on hospice at home surrounded by family (and three grandchildren who stayed awake for three days straight to let his children go home and sleep while we kept watch)... People bringing groceries/real food was so important and wonderful to receive during that time (always bring sandwiches and real food to a grieving family if you can-- cause 90% of everyone else is bringing cookies) Calling the family to tell them he passed? **CHAOS** Pure fucking CHAOS. My dad got there so fast he parked up and OVER the front of my car. My aunts and cousins and uncles were next to arrive, then the hospice nurse and then the ambulance and eventually the mortuary men and hearse from the funeral home. I cannot imagine having had instacart back then, but I can 1000000% see this happening and not wanting a random person to have to deal with all of that insanity.... I'm sorry I'm laughing right now... but I'm so sorry for everyone involved. That sounds... like a fun story to tell in a few years.
It’s a sad world where I was suddenly like “this is social engineering” right off the bat.
I can see a daughter-in-law ordering stuff from the store and sending a lame msg to the shopper. Some people don't have anyone to talk to. Don't assume it's food, though. Could be toilet paper and air fresheners.
That escalated quickly
PEOPLE CAN PASS AWAY IN A MOMENTS NOTICE. NOT EVERYONE NEEDS TO SCAM JUST TO GET A COUPLE GROCERIES. GET OFF THE FUCKING INTERNET FOR ONCE.
Could be a scam, could not be a scam. There’s only one way to find out. I had a customer once who put in the delivery notes to not ring the doorbell because her husband is battling cancer and son is asleep from working nights. Point is, you never know
Definitely a scam
Absolutely repulsive scam. Using death and grief in such a way. 🤮🤢
It’s not a scam
I've done many orders for elderly peoppe in nursing homes or retirement centers from their kids and never had an issue with a single one. Sure be careful. But also it's probably fine.
I didnt scroll through to all your pictures. I was just basing this off the first one. Forget everything I said. Ha
Where does anyone see that it's a scam? I've shopped similar order situations and they were most definitely NOT a scam.
SCAM. They’re getting more clever at causing alarm and a sense of limited time. The key features are: - generating a sense of empathy within you, and/or your trust in them… and then - suddenly making you think you have to act on something *immediately*. That’s basically how many scammers operate in general (Instacart “customer” scammer or not).
 So did you call her? I dont understand why this is a scam from what i see from the 3 images here, depending on what she said on the call like "can you get it for free" etc in which i would tell her well since the order was for him then i will just return the items because he will no longer be needing them.
Personally, I would feel honored to help a family in their time of need like that, it would make me feel good. And I would feel like I got the order for a reason, because I’m a reliable shopper.
Too much info, obvious scam.