Earlier today, at around 2:30 PM, we received reports that Instacart shoppers were experiencing issues logging into their accounts, preventing them from working. Upon logging in, shoppers encountered a message stating, “Payout Identity Verification in Progress.” While Instacart has not officially confirmed any issues, shoppers have been sharing their experiences on platforms like Reddit and DownDetector. One of our contacts, an Instacart shopper, tipped us off to this problem and even managed to speak with tech support, who confirmed that this issue is occurring nationwide. They assured that it won’t negatively impact shoppers’ accounts and that they are working to resolve it by the end of the day.
Concerns
While the exact cause of the issue remains unclear, it raises concerns in light of the increasing frequency of security breaches. Many shoppers are understandably worried, particularly since the error message hints at a potential issue with payouts. There’s a possibility that the payout functionality may have been compromised, putting shoppers’ earnings at risk. It’s worth noting that Instacart shoppers have previously encountered a similar issue, where they were prompted to log in to their accounts via text message only to have their bank information changed, resulting in lost earnings.
Our Final Thoughts
Gig workers, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and take steps to protect your security. Gig app companies, please prioritize enhancing your security measures—many people depend on these gigs to make ends meet. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates if any new information becomes available.