GPS Spoofing: Why your hot zone suddenly went cold
It’s the holiday season and the delivery rush is on. Couriers handle a variety of delivery opportunities. Furthermore, they accumulate many miles along the way. It would be nice to say the money accumulates as fast as the miles, but most couriers know the score on that topic. However, there is another topic that affects couriers. Old school {experienced couriers} and new couriers, have many details to track at any given time. This creates a whirlwind of important details to monitor.
With this in mind, one thing a courier doesn’t need, is a scam. Earlier this year delivery scams were referenced in the Dispatch Notes on this site. The idea is to help couriers avoid costly scams. They are often specialized and designed to be misleading. Their purpose is to fleece the courier in one way or another. I’m using the word fleece because if the shoe fits, lace that bad boy up. However, for those not in the know, fleece isn’t just a warm fabric.
It also has another meaning. For example, to defraud, or to cheat someone out of money or property. Furthermore, it’s often done through trickery. Such as GPS spoofing. Or account takeovers {ATO} via Phishing Links. And there are many more examples. Some of which are in this overview article. The scams listed are not the only ones out there. However, these are some of the top offenders for 2025.
GPS Spoofing or Location Spoofing
This one is often propagated by rogue drivers. It is also known as Multi-App Gaming.
- How it Works: Dishonest couriers use GPS spoofing apps {e.g. Fake GPS on Android} to fake their location, snagging offers from high pay zones without being there. This floods the honest courier’s queue with low paying, short-haul, runs. Or it ghosts real pickups, costing the courier earnings. Delivery apps pay based on the completion of the delivery, so spoofers siphon surges while honest couriers wait.
- What to watch for: Sudden order droughts in busy zones. Or clusters of accepted but unassigned runs. Or when the app map shows couriers arriving impossibly fast.
Fake Customer Orders – Fake Pickup/Delivery Requests
- How it works: Scammers create bogus orders in the app {or by using cloned app interfaces} for high-value items like groceries and meds. Then they cancel at the last minute or claim non-delivery to trigger refunds. The courier has the pickup fee, but loses time and resources. Or worse, if the app sides with the fake customer, the courier might face deactivation or with held pay.
- What to watch for: Orders from new accounts with vague addresses, zero reviews, or unusual items. For example, gift cards in a food app. Additionally, app notifications for refunds the courier didn’t request.
Payment Diversion or Fake Tip Scams
- How it works: A customer contacts the courier outside the app. Either through text or email from the order notes. They claim there is an app issue. Then they send a fake Venmo/Zelle “tip”. Then reverse the “tip” later. Or they ask the courier to share banking details for a “bonus”. The courier delivers, they dispute, and the courier’s out the fare plus fees.
- What to watch for: Off app communications like, “Hey, app glitched-send your cash app for 20$ extra?” or links to verify payment. Additionally tips that fail then reappear as disputes.
Account Takeover via Phishing Links
- How it works: Fake app updates or earnings alert texts and emails that lead to cloned login pages where the courier enters their credentials. The scammers then hijack the account to reroute payouts, accept spam orders, or rack up violations leading to deactivation.
- What to watch for: Urgent messages from out of the blue. For example, “Your account is suspended-click to verify” from non-official numbers. Typos in senders names or weird URLs. For example, doordash-support.net.
Fake Job/Onboarding Scams and GPS Spoofing
These often target new couriers. Fresh Instacart/DoorDash recruits posted warnings on Facebook groups in Fall 2025, citing $100+ losses.
- How it works: Ads or “recruiter” emails promise $30/hr jobs with delivery apps. However, they ask for background fees or equipment deposits upfront. Usually through wire or gift cards. Once paid, the job vanishes. Or they steal the couriers ID for real fraud.
- What to watch for: Unsolicited hiring links requiring payment before onboarding. No official app verification. Remember: only apply through official app sites. And never pay to start a delivery side hustle.
These are some of the most common scams happening in 2025. Furthermore, understanding things like GPS spoofing, or account takeovers, helps the courier stay vigilant, and on the alert. There will be more on this very important topic in upcoming articles. Until then, stay safe out there.
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