Nearly Half of Gig Workers Share or Sell Accounts

The gig economy was built on the promise of flexible work, but a new trend is undermining its security foundations. According to a recent survey, nearly half of all independent contractors working through popular apps are selling or renting access to their accounts.

This practice, while lucrative for some workers, directly violates the terms of service for major platforms like Uber, DoorDash, and Walmart's Spark. The findings highlight a growing tension between the economic pressures facing gig workers and the safety protocols required by the companies they serve.

Financial services company TransUnion conducted the survey in August, polling 1,012 adults who were current gig workers, had recently quit, or were about to start. The results paint a clear picture of a widespread phenomenon.

The data reveals that 45% of respondents had participated in renting or selling their gig work account access. The breakdown shows:

• 25% of workers had rented out their account
• 20% had sold an account entirely
• 45% had never engaged in either practice

The survey was initiated after TransUnion noticed suspicious activity patterns, such as accounts historically linked to Android devices suddenly appearing on iPhones, which prompted the company to investigate further.

Several factors drive gig workers to monetize their accounts beyond simply completing deliveries or rides. Colleen Thiry, Director of TransUnion's gig economy business, noted that prospective buyers often face barriers to entry.

Some individuals may not have a long enough driving history or might be unable to pass the rigorous background checks required by platforms. In other cases, waitlists for certain apps in specific regions make buying an existing account an attractive shortcut.

Prospective gig workers might buy or rent accounts for several reasons, such as not having a long enough driving history or being unable to pass a background check.

These accounts are frequently advertised on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram, often bundled with third-party software programs that gig workers refer to as "bots." These programs claim to give users an advantage in claiming delivery orders or ride requests.

The primary concern for platforms is the erosion of safety measures. When a user signs up for an account, they undergo a vetting process that includes identity verification and background checks. Sharing an account bypasses these critical safeguards.

This creates a safety risk not only for the app's integrity but for the customers relying on the service. There have been documented instances of mismatched identities, particularly in the grocery delivery sector. In 2023, reports indicated that some Walmart Spark delivery drivers arrived at locations using names that did not match their actual identities.

Walmart has since implemented stricter verification steps, such as requiring drivers to stop by store locations to show physical ID. Beyond safety, TransUnion's survey also uncovered other forms of deceptive behavior:

• Tip-baiting: 43% of workers experienced customers offering high tips only to reduce them after the order was completed.
• Demotivation: These practices negatively impact worker morale and financial stability.

Major gig work platforms are actively fighting back against account sharing. Both Uber and DoorDash have updated their terms of service and enforcement mechanisms to address the issue.

Uber maintains a "zero tolerance" policy for confirmed account sharing. A company spokesperson stated that users found sharing accounts risk permanent removal from the platform. To enforce this, Uber required all drivers and delivery workers to reverify their identities last year.

Similarly, DoorDash confirmed that it removes workers from its app for sharing accounts. In 2024, the company began requiring more frequent identity verification for specific delivery workers to deter unauthorized use.

Both sides of that transaction need to feel safe and secure.

As TransUnion's Thiry emphasized, the security of the transaction is paramount for the continued viability of the gig economy model.

The practice of selling and renting gig work accounts represents a significant challenge for an industry built on trust and verification. As economic pressures persist for independent contractors, the temptation to monetize account access may continue to grow.

However, with platforms like Uber and DoorDash doubling down on identity verification and security protocols, the gap between worker needs and platform requirements is widening. The coming years will likely see an escalation in technological solutions designed to ensure that the person completing the delivery is the same person who passed the background check.