Is Instacart a scam? Many people have asked this question, especially those who have heard about the application for the first time.

Instacart is a platform that connects customers with contractors who will shop for the items desired by the customers. The platform has partnered with well-known brands such as Kroger, Costco, Wegmans, and Albertsons.

So, a customer will select the groceries or other items on the Instacart app and then complete the payment. After confirming the payment, another person will shop the items for the customer. The shoppers will earn a commission once they deliver the goods.

As of now, Instacart has more than 1,400 retailers and local grocers helping to deliver your goods.

That said, there have been many scams with unsuspecting customers on Instacart. In this article, we’ll explain how you can protect yourself from such scams in the future.

Scams on Instacart and how to protect yourself

Instacart, on the whole, is not a scam. It is a legitimate service, but you can get scammed.

Here are a few scams that you can encounter on Instacart and tips to protect yourself:

Shoppers exploiting bots

Some shoppers use bots alongside the Instacart app, gaining an advantage over others. Some of these bots automatically alert the shoppers about new orders, while others keep accepting the orders.

Though some may claim that bots benefit the shopper and customer, think about the other shoppers who do not know how to apply bots. Instacart has a strict policy regarding the use of bots. So, as a shopper, you must be careful, as using bots may result in your account deactivation on the platform.

This scam exploits only the other shoppers, and customers are safe.

Damaged items delivered

As with most delivery platforms, Instacart is also filled with complaints of damaged or inferior items delivered to customers.

Instacart promises that the shoppers will only buy those items that have perfect shape and size and will never buy damaged or expired items.

However, some shoppers may accidentally or even intentionally buy damaged items.

To avoid such scams, check all the times as quickly as you receive them, and if you find any defect, immediately contact Instacart and request a replacement or refund.

Missing items

Similar to the above scam, sometimes you may find one or more items missing from your order.

This can be by mistake or intentional. Sometimes, shoppers can forget to scan the items, or they can deliberately steal a few items from the bag for themselves.

Always check your receipt and match it with your items to avoid this scam. Any missing item should be reported immediately to Instacart.

Overcharging

Another major scam that customers have to go through on Instacart is being overcharged for their items.

This can happen for many reasons. For example, a family in Texas reported that they were billed $850 for items worth $225. This was because the shopper had more items worth $600, which the customer never requested in the first place.

In conclusion, Instacart is a legitimate company that connects customers to shoppers. However, as with any business, you may be scammed on Instacart, as it all depends on the values and ethics of the shopper.

That being said, always be vigilant and alert when ordering from Instacart and educate yourself about the scams on the platform to protect yourself and your hard-earned money.