In the U.S., many people choose food delivery as a part-time job or a way to make ends meet. Tonight I want to share something that just happened to me, so everyone can stay alert.
Around 10:35 PM, the front counter received a food-delivery request. Here are the details:
It was a $53 order, with a request for $100 change.
I had already sensed danger, so I ended up not suffering a loss.
Once I got suspicious, I checked the area first.
It was the last house on the road.
It was a dead end, with trees behind it.
Even though something felt off, it was work, so I went anyway.
When I got to the destination, the streetlights were still fairly bright.
Since it was a dead end, I first turned the car around and faced the intersection to observe the situation.
This house had people inside, with two cars parked, but no lights were on.
By logic, if someone ordered a meal for $50+ there should be a group of people waiting for food, not a place with all lights off.
So I kept my foot on the brake and did not shift into "P," then called the customer. I called nearly 10 times, but no one answered.
While I was thinking about how to handle it, a Black man walked toward my car.
I lowered my window a little and had this exchange:
me: What are you doing? (What are you doing?)
him: I work this area, I had order to be delivery. (I work in this area; I had an order to be delivered.)
Then we confirmed the order.
me: OK, pay first.
He checked his pocket for a while and said:
i forget the money, you go to knock the door ask my mom for it
(I forgot to bring the money. You go knock on the door and ask my mom for it.)
This is clearly illogical!!!
* He just said he worked this area, but then said his mom was in the house.
* He did not come out of the house, so why did he ask me to knock on the door.
* I looked carefully at his other hand and could vaguely see the end of a baseball bat.
Then I gave him the middle finger, pointed him toward heaven, and took off with a burst of the gas pedal.
Now, pay attention to a few things I did:
1. Suspicion: It was late at night, and a seemingly random meal order requested $100 in change. It can be a common setup: you think it’s a normal order, then end up in a risk situation. I worked in front desk work for seven years, so I was very sensitive to this pattern, which is why I had that hunch.
2. Observe the layout: a dead end is absolutely a good spot for an attack.
3. On a dead end, turn the car first. Since you have to turn around anyway on the way back, better to do it early.
4. When the house was dark, I stayed in the car, called the customer, and asked them to come to the door and turn on a light.
5. Keep the transmission out of P and stay on the brake so you can leave quickly if needed. In today’s cars, doors are usually locked when not in P, which is safer. Since you are in the car, the car is your protection; if someone tries to rob you, provoking them could force you to use the car to protect yourself, and they would lose badly. So, no matter what, do not get out.
6. Open the window a crack to talk. It lets you hear clearly, and makes it possible for money to be handed to you that way. After all, we’re in a service industry, and it might have been a real customer.
7. If it feels wrong, leave. Do not argue too much. There might be a 0.01% chance the person is truly a customer, but you can’t go against yourself for the sake of a job. Never sacrifice your safety.
Afterword:
Reflecting on the whole process, although I did not suffer any loss, the situation was still fairly dangerous.
I hope everyone, wherever you are and whatever job you do, keeps your guard up. When you are far from home, caution is the priority.