App Accounts Being Rented

By
Rachel Stevenson
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Hello everyone! Let’s talk about a growing issue that could impact anyone who orders food delivery in the United States. A recent investigation has uncovered that hundreds of Venezuelan migrants are working illegally as food delivery drivers, using names and identities that don’t belong to them. This troubling development raises serious questions about the safety and reliability of the home delivery apps many of us use daily.

Here’s how we got here. Since President Joe Biden took office, approximately one million Venezuelan migrants have entered the U.S., many through the southern border. For those who are desperate to earn a living, food delivery has become a go-to job. However, not all of them have the legal status or work permits needed to be employed. To get around this, some migrants rent or even buy accounts on delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, often through Facebook groups dedicated to Venezuelan communities.

The practice is widespread. In areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, which has seen a large influx of Venezuelan migrants, it’s as simple as joining a Facebook group, paying a fee, and starting work under someone else’s identity. Some of these accounts are rented for as much as $150 a week—a hefty price considering the low pay many delivery drivers earn. Others even purchase accounts for up to $1,300, often with installment plans.

While some migrants are legally in the U.S. and have work permits, many do not. This lack of legal status, combined with the use of fraudulent accounts, creates a dangerous situation for both the drivers and the customers. For one, it’s nearly impossible to know who is actually showing up at your door with your food. Worse still, there’s a growing fear that criminal organizations, including the notorious Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, may be behind some of these account rentals.

This isn’t just a hypothetical concern. The Dallas Police Department has confirmed that the Tren de Aragua gang is active in North Texas, although they haven’t linked the gang specifically to food delivery crimes yet. However, the presence of such a dangerous group only adds to the anxiety surrounding this issue.

Real-life incidents have already highlighted the risks. For example, a woman in Texas recently had her car damaged by a Venezuelan delivery driver using an app account that wasn’t his. He didn’t have a valid driver’s license or insurance, and local police said there was little they could do.

Delivery companies like Uber and DoorDash claim to have strict rules and security measures in place, such as background checks and identity verification. However, it’s clear that many migrants are finding ways to bypass these systems, leaving consumers in the dark about who is really handling their food.

This situation calls for a closer look at the accountability of delivery platforms. Who are they really giving our personal information to? And how are these unauthorized drivers slipping through the cracks? As the problem grows, so does the need for these companies to strengthen their vetting processes and ensure that the people delivering our food are who they say they are.

For now, if you’re ordering food delivery, it might be wise to stay vigilant and consider the risks. This story is a stark reminder that the convenience of home delivery could come with unexpected and potentially dangerous consequences.

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