An Adelaide mother, Vanessa Mortimer, is cautioning Australians about the risks associated with hiring help via online platforms, following a troubling experience with a delivery driver sourced through Airtasker. Mortimer, engaged in renovating her beloved holiday home on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula—filled with memories of her late husband and daughter—sought a driver for new furniture worth $15,000. Although the items were picked up, they never arrived at her residence.
Feeling panic and shock over the costly situation, Mortimer reported her concerns to the police after failing to contact the driver. Assistance from law enforcement led to distressing messages from the driver the following day. Fortunately, after 48 anxious hours, Mortimer ultimately received her belongings, but the ordeal left her shaken.
Now, she hopes her story serves as a warning to others about the potential pitfalls of using these services. In response, Airtasker emphasised its commitment to user security, advising customers to communicate exclusively through the platform and to verify the credentials and reviews of service providers. Mortimer encapsulated the sentiment by stating, “Gone are the days that we can just trust.”