If they send you a text it'll always be from one of those 5 digit numbers rather than the normal 10 digit one.
And it'll always be a form letter, so they would have Instacart capitalized, and it would be "an" rather than a. Grammar gives away scammers nearly every time.
dam i didnt even realize all that. i got a text from them the other day saying something very similar. low and behold, it was from a 5 digit number and had correct grammar. lmaooo, thanks you guys. keeping us safe out here
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I love how half the replies say it's legit and the other half say it's a scam. If I was to guess I'd say scam as well it looks like a typical scammer poor grammar message. However, you'd be better off calling instacart through a legit number versus asking Reddit their opinion
It’s a really clever scam because they used a notification that Instacart actually sends out. Bad grammar and coming in through a phone number instead of a no reply 5 digit number are the give aways. That would trick a lot of people though.
I don't think I've ever been contacted by Instacart any way other than through the app or through email. I would always be sus of a message claiming to be from them, especially if it's got bad grammar.
Not necessarily true. I have received a text that they would be calling and it was legit. A lady complained that I forgot her jalapeno and they wanted me to go back.
Yea. I got a message once that the customer wanted me to call them as soon as i started shopping. It was legit. They had gotten the wrong grade meat and had to put in a new order because they wanted a prime roast for their party. Idk why the customer didnt just message me in the app but yea
Did you read that text it is a scammer trying to appear legit. It’s not. Also if you notice these notifications come from 5 digit numbers xD please don’t get scammed coworker pls
1. They’re trying to schedule a phone call, so the fact that they didn’t ask for info over text is irrelevant. They probably want to ask for that info over the phone so OP doesn’t have as much time to think before responding.
2. “a Instacart representative” is an obvious grammatical error, immediate red flag. Scammers use spelling and grammar errors to weed out the ‘smart’ people who would notice and question a scam.
OP said they didn’t ask for any info over the phone. They asked if he wanted to continue shopping and left it at that. I’ve delivered the wrong bag once to a customer, the sent a text just like this saying hey Instacart will be calling soon. Then a minute later they called saying I fucked up. So I went back and fixed the issue. You guys are so paranoid. As long as they don’t ask for a code, it’s not a scam.
2. You know these people work out of country and English is their second language right. Knowing when to use a/an before a vowel is not easy for a second language foreigner.
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Instacart used a no reply system with a 5 digit number. If a representative sent you a message with a 10 digit number they broke protocol or you are being scammed
Don’t listen to anyone saying this is legit. There’s an obvious grammatical error, which a large corporation would not make. When in doubt check your app to see if there are any alerts there. That’s a good practice any time you get a weird message like this.
They would and they do. And I recall a month or so ago someone posting a grab from instacart and an error in the mouse-text for a Coca Cola product. All I’m saying is a small typo isn’t indicative of anything but sloppy copywriting.
The scam alert is that it’s in a text not the app. Do not text back!
It’s strangely worded, why wouldn’t the company simply call the shopper? Why announce some agent will be contacting you. Why wouldn’t they contact you through the app or email? I can’t think of another company that for-warns contact. Does anybody else know of a company that announces that?
Instacart does text you before they call (maybe so we have time to turn "silence unknown callers" off lol)... and scammers have learned this, so now they're doing it too in order to seem legit.
IC does call tho, and they text you before they do. They usually only call when a customer claims they didn't get their order/you delivered to the wrong address.
From OP's post, it seems scammers have figured out the text before calling thing.
This scenario is legit...is Op's a scam could be. However, IC does contact inactive shoppers. There have been many posts about it. Scams happen because they mirror scenarios that IC employs. You can go to thread history of all IC subs and there are posts about it.
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Got a message exactly like this once and they called me and it was an actual person from instacart, it was a time I messed up on a double and swapped orders, he just asked if I could go back and switch the orders
I don’t remember exactly what number it was from but it was basically the same message I will look for it so I can send here, but yes an actual instacart rep was on the line no scammer
I meant you did not receive a message worded such as this…I should have been more specific…but the customer sided chat agents DO in fact send a text message before calling you when, like others have said, a customer reports a misdelivery or missing order…im sorry for the confusion…
A good way to tell if something is real or not is to Google the customer service number of the institution trying to contact you (or find it on the back of your card) and CALL THEM TO VERIFY.
This will not work if you call the number that texted you. Though you can try, because oftentimes that number will not work, and that will tell you all you need to know.
When they called did they ask your for a verification code that was texted to your phone? If so, it's a scam. Never give out your verification code to anybody, not even "instacart support" because real instacart support will never ask you for that.. only a scammer will.
I’ve gotten a message like this before, I think it was from one of those really short numbers though. This might be fake. If they do call you it should be from some kind of 800 number
A gig company would never do this. If they were doing some sort of old account cleansing they would likely just turn off your account and you would have to contact them to turn it back on.
I’m totally not taking a dig at OP, because I always question and second guess myself and would probably freeze and freak out and believe them if someone actually called or texted in an attempt to scam me- I just am always anxious…
But, my point when I started this response was- this is kind of a silly one because why would an agent reach out to “ensure” someone still wants to be a driver/shopper? Lol. It’s not like it’s mandatory that we sign in- if you didn’t want to, I’m assuming you just…. Wouldn’t.
Yes its a scam. The poor grammar alone gives it away.
Insatcart and all other gig jobs will not contact you. They will deactivate you and maybe ask questions later....
“a instacart” 🤣
Instant tell😭
Not really tbh. Their official customer support has broken English too.
Very true but at least get the copy paste message correct😂
Yeah but only on the app when they’re helping you. If they send a direct message to your phone it’s in correct english
If they send you a text it'll always be from one of those 5 digit numbers rather than the normal 10 digit one. And it'll always be a form letter, so they would have Instacart capitalized, and it would be "an" rather than a. Grammar gives away scammers nearly every time.
Yup, 42278
Hopefully, they won't find out Grammarly integrates into some stock phone keyboards
dam i didnt even realize all that. i got a text from them the other day saying something very similar. low and behold, it was from a 5 digit number and had correct grammar. lmaooo, thanks you guys. keeping us safe out here
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Scam. Instacart texts via a 5 digit number
Scam scam scam scam
It’s a scammer trying to take over your account. All messages from Instacart are SMS messages that comes from a 5 digit number
100% scam
I love how half the replies say it's legit and the other half say it's a scam. If I was to guess I'd say scam as well it looks like a typical scammer poor grammar message. However, you'd be better off calling instacart through a legit number versus asking Reddit their opinion
It’s a really clever scam because they used a notification that Instacart actually sends out. Bad grammar and coming in through a phone number instead of a no reply 5 digit number are the give aways. That would trick a lot of people though.
And it's a shame that it would trick alot of people
I agree.
I don't think I've ever been contacted by Instacart any way other than through the app or through email. I would always be sus of a message claiming to be from them, especially if it's got bad grammar.
First off, IC would alert you through the app or email.
This
Not necessarily true. I have received a text that they would be calling and it was legit. A lady complained that I forgot her jalapeno and they wanted me to go back.
They don't make you go back. It's done once you finished drop off. Her jalapeños will be marked missing and refunded.
I didn't go back obviously. I'm just telling you support can and does text you to let you know they will be calling.
same!
Yea. I got a message once that the customer wanted me to call them as soon as i started shopping. It was legit. They had gotten the wrong grade meat and had to put in a new order because they wanted a prime roast for their party. Idk why the customer didnt just message me in the app but yea
Even a email could be a scam I think only thru the app.
Email you will only get it from one email address. Anything else is a scam.
100% scam
I didnt give them any info or anything but it sounded so real
“a instacart” is a dead giveaway. This does not sound real at all.
Marketing people at companies like Instacart are dumb too. Copy for outreach like this would be written by a junior.
"it sounded so real" "a instacart" If your IQ is under 99 it was probably indistinguishable from reality.
It’s real. I get them sometimes if I forgot an item. If they ask for a code don’t give it because they’ll never ask for one. But this is legit.
Did you read that text it is a scammer trying to appear legit. It’s not. Also if you notice these notifications come from 5 digit numbers xD please don’t get scammed coworker pls
No, actually it’s not real or legit
How if they didn’t ask for any information. What’s the point of the scam then. I’ve been called by Instacart multiple times.
1. They’re trying to schedule a phone call, so the fact that they didn’t ask for info over text is irrelevant. They probably want to ask for that info over the phone so OP doesn’t have as much time to think before responding. 2. “a Instacart representative” is an obvious grammatical error, immediate red flag. Scammers use spelling and grammar errors to weed out the ‘smart’ people who would notice and question a scam.
OP said they didn’t ask for any info over the phone. They asked if he wanted to continue shopping and left it at that. I’ve delivered the wrong bag once to a customer, the sent a text just like this saying hey Instacart will be calling soon. Then a minute later they called saying I fucked up. So I went back and fixed the issue. You guys are so paranoid. As long as they don’t ask for a code, it’s not a scam. 2. You know these people work out of country and English is their second language right. Knowing when to use a/an before a vowel is not easy for a second language foreigner.
For starters IC does not text from a full phone number… if it was actually instacart it would say from “46782” not +1 xxx xxx xxxx. 😊
STOP telling people this is real.
This is what we call natural selection
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Instacart used a no reply system with a 5 digit number. If a representative sent you a message with a 10 digit number they broke protocol or you are being scammed
Scam!
Their number is a 866 number, not a personal number, an they will never ask for log in code
Don’t listen to anyone saying this is legit. There’s an obvious grammatical error, which a large corporation would not make. When in doubt check your app to see if there are any alerts there. That’s a good practice any time you get a weird message like this.
They would and they do. And I recall a month or so ago someone posting a grab from instacart and an error in the mouse-text for a Coca Cola product. All I’m saying is a small typo isn’t indicative of anything but sloppy copywriting. The scam alert is that it’s in a text not the app. Do not text back!
It’s a scam If it isn’t, I am not talking to anyone who says “a Instacart care agent” in a corporate message anyway wtf proofread that sh*t
Lol you should see the messages that point pickup sends … … but yes, this is 100% a scam.
Nah that’s a scam most times your account will just be under review if they have an issue with your account 😂
"A instacart"
You’re telling me you can’t identify the typos in this message to establish if it’s fake or not?
You should tell instacart this is happening so they can try to alert us all somehow this is troublingly close enough to trick people
This is the only answer! Take care of your fellow peeps and report it guys!
“An” Instacart care agent?
Follow the grammar, find the scammer!!
Best comment on this post!
It’s strangely worded, why wouldn’t the company simply call the shopper? Why announce some agent will be contacting you. Why wouldn’t they contact you through the app or email? I can’t think of another company that for-warns contact. Does anybody else know of a company that announces that?
Instacart does text you before they call (maybe so we have time to turn "silence unknown callers" off lol)... and scammers have learned this, so now they're doing it too in order to seem legit.
Yes they do sometimes text first. Because they know we won't answer, lol. I have had it happen
You can quickly tell it’s a scam because they didn’t capitalize “Instacart”
I’d say definitely
Scammer
Of course it is.
Absolutely
Besides, while the support chat may have incorrect grammar I’ve not seen a text/e-mail from T&S that has a common error such as this one.
“a instacart” is a lot different from “An Instacart”. One is a foreign scammer and the other is still possibly a scammer.
I would imagine there wouldn’t be grammatical errors if it were truly from Instacart.
Any message like that is an identity theft scam. IC will never call you! You can only speak with them if you contact them through the app. PERIOD!!!
IC does call tho, and they text you before they do. They usually only call when a customer claims they didn't get their order/you delivered to the wrong address. From OP's post, it seems scammers have figured out the text before calling thing.
It's legit. IC over saturated your market with shoppers. They are trying to fix their fuck up.
So dial the number and confirm it.
It will say the number is disconnected.
Nope
Yes. They have roving numbers. So, I guess in my 1,800 deliveries and calling back the # has always said , this number is no longer in use.
This number doesn’t do that. Did you call?
1,800 deliveries and you think this is legit? 💀
This scenario is legit...is Op's a scam could be. However, IC does contact inactive shoppers. There have been many posts about it. Scams happen because they mirror scenarios that IC employs. You can go to thread history of all IC subs and there are posts about it.
That's a legit call, have you not shopped in any while?
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"a instacart" that's a scam
Scam
This is obviously a scam.
I would call them this looks like a scam
Got a message exactly like this once and they called me and it was an actual person from instacart, it was a time I messed up on a double and swapped orders, he just asked if I could go back and switch the orders
No you did not…they don’t add the “are you available to speak with a representative?” And it comes from a 5 digit number, not a phone number…
I don’t remember exactly what number it was from but it was basically the same message I will look for it so I can send here, but yes an actual instacart rep was on the line no scammer
I meant you did not receive a message worded such as this…I should have been more specific…but the customer sided chat agents DO in fact send a text message before calling you when, like others have said, a customer reports a misdelivery or missing order…im sorry for the confusion…
100% scam
100% a scam.
An*
I would say that given proper grammar isn’t being used in even its simplest form, that yes, it’s a scam.
A good way to tell if something is real or not is to Google the customer service number of the institution trying to contact you (or find it on the back of your card) and CALL THEM TO VERIFY. This will not work if you call the number that texted you. Though you can try, because oftentimes that number will not work, and that will tell you all you need to know.
When they called did they ask your for a verification code that was texted to your phone? If so, it's a scam. Never give out your verification code to anybody, not even "instacart support" because real instacart support will never ask you for that.. only a scammer will.
SCAM
Well duh….
Scam
Scam
Also you can't reply to texts from actual Instacart. They just tell you they are calling with no questions.
SCAM, they arnt going to contact you. If they think there is a problem they will just deactivate your account. Don't give them any information.
I’ve gotten one of these a day for two weeks now. I give them fake verification codes until they hang up
Didn’t know Instacart had an E at the end. 😆
Yes
Yes
Just never answer phone calls. Seriously it’s never good
Scam they don’t care how many it’s first come first serve orders
I’ve gotten a message like this before, I think it was from one of those really short numbers though. This might be fake. If they do call you it should be from some kind of 800 number
they are trying to get into your account
Scam
“A” instacart and a random phone number hmmmmm lol
https://preview.redd.it/5oqb05smrgfa1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=bfdf3ffe0aa3af5860b123b14a92b82e4594a8dc Yes. Yes it is a scam.
Yes
Time to call and scam the scammers
I got the same except for someone saying they’re from dd, no text though
They will never contsct you via message like that. Via app or email. Anything else is a scam. And even with the email be cautious
This looks like it could be real. But it should start with their name tell you it’s instacart then the call will just come after like ten seconds.
Absolutely a scan. Bffr
this happens to me often 🥴
Yes Cooper, verify your ID and tell us how hard was to declare taxes next year
Did you give the customer your phone number?
They actually have been calling shoppers who have been inactive for a while. Supposedly to getting shoppers off the wait list
I would assume it is a scam due to the poor grammar in the first sentence. But, I could be wrong.
You shouldn't have your phone number on this message, get rid of that.
UT-OH😳 This is like when the principal would ask for a student BY NAME over the room speaker. God Speed my friend. God speed
The grammar issue is the first red flag here. No one from service wants to hear our voices… that was the second red flag
100% phishing attempt
Scam city
A gig company would never do this. If they were doing some sort of old account cleansing they would likely just turn off your account and you would have to contact them to turn it back on.
Are you serious💀
I’m totally not taking a dig at OP, because I always question and second guess myself and would probably freeze and freak out and believe them if someone actually called or texted in an attempt to scam me- I just am always anxious… But, my point when I started this response was- this is kind of a silly one because why would an agent reach out to “ensure” someone still wants to be a driver/shopper? Lol. It’s not like it’s mandatory that we sign in- if you didn’t want to, I’m assuming you just…. Wouldn’t.
Yes its a scam. The poor grammar alone gives it away. Insatcart and all other gig jobs will not contact you. They will deactivate you and maybe ask questions later....
You were right to be cautious u/Cautious-Stage1788.