Just Eat customers have been warned to stay alert after a scam involving fraudulent listings was uncovered, leaving users out of pocket with no food or drink delivered.
Consumer watchdog Which? has identified 23 fraudulent businesses on the food delivery platform that claim to sell alcohol but fail to fulfil orders. Customers have paid for their items, only to find their order marked as ‘delivered’ on the app—making refunds difficult to claim.
Many of these listings feature fake addresses and five-star reviews designed to trick unsuspecting users into making purchases.
Consumer Rights Expert Issues Warning
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, urged Just Eat to take immediate action.
“We uncovered dodgy listings on Just Eat that claim to sell alcohol but which customers say are taking their cash without delivering their orders. If it wants to maintain customer trust, Just Eat needs to keep fraudulent listings off its app and make sure people are refunded when orders don’t arrive.”
How to Spot Fake Listings on Just Eat
? Check Reviews – Look at one-star reviews for red flags. Ignore multiple five-star reviews, as these might be fake.
? Verify the Address – Use online maps to check if the listed business is genuine. Many scams are linked to self-storage units rather than actual shops.
? Check for Contact Details – A lack of a legitimate phone number or website could indicate fraud.
? Be Wary of Unknown Brands – If a brand name seems unfamiliar, research it to confirm legitimacy.
Scam Complaints from Just Eat Users
Many victims reported their orders never arrived despite being marked as ‘delivered’ on the app.
One frustrated customer wrote:
“They said it was delivered, but I have cameras to prove it never came. Completely ruined our party!!!”
Another review simply stated:
“Never received my order.”
Attempts to contact the businesses resulted in unanswered calls or vague excuses about delays before the orders never arrived.
Just Eat Responds to the Scam
Following the investigation, Just Eat has apologised and confirmed that it is taking action against fraudulent listings.
A spokesperson for Just Eat said:
“Like all delivery companies, we have a strict onboarding process and conduct compliance checks to ensure our partners uphold the law and meet our clear service standards. While the vast majority provide excellent service, a small handful do not.”
“We are suspending these stores from our platform while we investigate further. We apologise to customers affected and are processing swift refunds.”
What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a fraudulent seller on Just Eat:
✅ Request a refund through Just Eat – Report the issue via the app immediately.
✅ Contact your bank – Use chargeback or Section 75 protection if you paid with a credit card.
✅ Report the fraud – Contact Action Fraud or Police Scotland for further assistance.
The Bigger Picture: Just Eat’s Expansion and Challenges
Just Eat, founded in Denmark in 2001, has grown into a £2 billion business, expanding beyond food into alcohol, cosmetics, electronics, and even sex toys.
However, the platform has faced increasing scrutiny over fraudulent businesses exploiting its marketplace model.
With millions of customers relying on Just Eat, security experts urge stronger fraud detection measures to prevent further scams.
