How to Reactivate an Instacart Account? Unlock Your Work Rights.

  • Blog
  • How to Reactivate an Instacart Account? Unlock Your Work Rights.
Contact Us
1
2
3
23 Oct, 2024
5 min
1886
title in front of delivery man with green bag

Life After Instacart Deactivates Your Shopper Account - Learn Your Options!

Has Instacart blocked your account access? Don't fret! You have options, and we explain them all. Learn why Instacart deactivates accounts and how to appeal the decision. If your account was deactivated for an unfair reason like background check errors, we can help! Continue reading to learn how to get back on track.

For many people, discovering Instacart revolutionized their grocery shopping routine. Before this, people typically relied on traditional visits to the grocery store. But now, the convenience and flexibility offered by Instacart is remarkable, particularly with Instacart shoppers managing everything from groceries to personal items.

On the other side of this story lies the fact that many Instacart shoppers, who rely on the platform to support their families, are unexpectedly deactivated without explanation. If you’re one of those shoppers, you need to explore why deactivations occur, how to reapply for Instacart account access, and avenues for assistance, particularly regarding errors in background checks. Let's delve in!

Did you know? Instacart’s background checks can be one of the top reasons for deactivations. Even small errors can impact your eligibility.

Why Did Instacart Deactivate Your Account?

On Instacart’s site, they state several reasons why a shopper may have an Instacart locked account or deactivation such as if a shopper requests deactivation, if there is fraud, and “other” risks. Other risks can include things like very low ratings, too many complaints, canceling an excessive amount of orders, violating policies and procedures, and failing a background check.

Why did you fail your background check?

For starters, you may be questioning why your Instacart background check is taking forever. This is valid, but sometimes a longer than normal background check isn’t cause for concern. However, there are times when it could mean that you have failed a background check. 

Second, you may also be questioning why your Instacart background check is suspended, or why your Instacart background check is denied altogether. You can receive a failed Instacart background check for many reasons, but unbeknownst to many people, failing a background check can be caused by mistakes in reporting made by background check companies. These mistakes show up due to a lack of following protocol, human errors, outdated information, mixing up consumers’ files, and much more! This is why it’s important to monitor your background reports and dispute errors when you find them.

If you believe you were deactivated by Instacart because of background check errors, you should contact our consumer law attorneys for assistance.

How to Reactivate Your Instacart Account

You may be wondering why your Instacart account is deactivated and how to reactivate it. If your deactivation stems from legitimate reasons, your options may be limited.

Reactivation Tip! If you believe an error led to your deactivation, you can dispute inaccuracies with the background check company to get back to work.

Instacart account deactivated - How to reactivate

When seeking reactivation of a deactivated Instacart account, start by contacting Instacart directly. Below are some tips when contacting Instacart:

  1. Contact customer service in the app, when possible. If your shopper account is deactivated you may not have access to the shopper features, but some shoppers have access to Instacart accounts that are not shopper accounts. There is an option to speak with customer service via chat in the regular Instacart app. Pro tip: After downloading the app, sign up with an email that is different from the one used for your shopper account. Go to the help center and use the “live agent” feature to connect with customer service about your deactivated shopper account.
  2. If you can’t speak with someone via the app, try contacting customer service via the help center or call directly at 1-888-246-7822.
  3. Try talking to a consumer protection lawyer. While contacting Instacart may not always yield results, if you believe your deactivation was discrimination-related, or triggered by erroneous background check information, talk to a consumer protection lawyer. 

Wrongfully deactivated Instacart account - Background check errors

To address the wrongful deactivation of your Instacart account due to background check errors, it's essential to take action against the background check company for any reporting inaccuracies. Start by familiarizing yourself with your rights and initiating the dispute process. Below are some steps you can take when disputing background check errors: 

  • Obtain a copy of your background report. You have a right under the FCRA to get a copy of your background check for FREE!
  • Review the report to identify errors. Be sure to review the background report and highlight errors. Doing so will help you later in the dispute process.
  • Contact a background check attorney. An attorney can help you no matter where you are in the dispute process. An attorney will provide valuable guidance in navigating the dispute process effectively, including helping you write and submit a dispute letter to the background check company, as well as file a lawsuit when needed.

Keep in mind that background check errors that cost you a job, hurt you financially, or leave lasting emotional stress might entitle you to compensation.

Contact Consumer Attorneys

If you want to file a claim against Instacart for a wrongfully deactivated Instacart account or file a lawsuit against a background check company for false reporting in background checks we can help you! Contact us directly at [email protected], anytime via our LIVE chat feature on our website and by phone at 1-877-615-1725. We can also help if you have been underpaid and not paid overtime! We hope to connect with you soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you were unfairly deactivated from Instacart you should contact Instacart and seek reactivation. This process is sometimes called an appeal. When you speak with someone at Instacart you should ask for “reactivation,” and present personal information (when requested). Sometimes there are situations when shoppers are unfairly deactivated after an Instacart background check report. Too often, background checks causing Instacart deactivation are due to errors in reporting. Even if you are reactivated, it’s a good idea to get a copy of the background check to review it for any errors. If you find errors, you should contact an attorney to dispute the errors and file a lawsuit when feasible.

The timeline for Instacart account reactivation can differ depending on the situation. Some accounts may be reactivated in just a few hours and for others, it will take much longer (several weeks). The reason why your account was deactivated will determine the time it takes for it to be reactivated, based on the circumstances surrounding the situation. Unfortunately, many shoppers never have their accounts reactivated. If you believe your account was unfairly deactivated, you have the right to hold Instacart responsible for their actions. This could range from filing a complaint against the company to initiating court proceedings when necessary.

Yes you can re-apply once you get deactivated. Please keep in mind that even if you reapply and pass the necessary screenings, you could still get rejected by the company. If you are deactivated in error and quickly inform Instacart, you may have a better chance of having your account reactivated than if you were deactivated for not following a procedure. On the other hand, you might end up getting deactivated again for some other strange and unfair reason. Many of Instacart’s former employees have used social media to voice their concerns about what they consider to be unfair practices at the company like deactivating accounts for no reason and not paying workers overtime.

imageDaniel Cohen is the Founding Partner of Consumer Attorneys
About the lawyer
Daniel Cohen
See more post

Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more

Contact Us
INVESTIGATIVE ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT

You, (“Client,” “you”), and Consumer Attorneys PLLC (“CA” or “we”), located at 72-47 139th street Flushing, NY 11367 (“CA”) , hereby enter into this limited scope retainer agreement whereby you agree to grant CA the exclusive authority to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s), including but not limited to potential violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), Electronic Funds Transfer Act “EFTA”), Fair Credit Billing Act (“FCPA”), and/or the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA”) (collectively referenced as “consumer protection statutes”). 1Please read carefully before signing:

Authorization

You authorize CA to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s) under state and federal consumer protection statutes. You authorize CA to contact third parties on your behalf for the limited purpose of investigating your potential consumer law claims. “Third parties” include but are not limited to consumer reporting agencies, creditors, lenders, debt collectors, rental agencies, employers, courts, and law enforcement agencies.

CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period

CA agrees to investigate your potential consumer law claims in good faith. By signing this agreement, you agree to give CA the exclusive right to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s) for the next 180 days (“Exclusive Investigative Period”). For the duration of the Exclusive Investigative Period, you agree that you will not communicate with any other law firm or legal representative about your potential consumer law claim(s). You agree to forgo any previously scheduled consultation or case review until CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period concludes.

Termination of Exclusive Investigation Period

CA agrees that the Exclusive Investigative Period may not extend beyond 180 days without your prior written consent.

At any time between the date of this agreement and the expiration of CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period, CA may inform you of the outcome of its investigation. If CA’s investigation reveals that you have an actional consumer law claim, CA may ask you to sign a formal retainer agreement. If CA’s investigation does not reveal an actionable consumer law claim, you will receive an e-mail that states CA will not represent you in any further pursuit of your potential claim(s).

The relationship between you and CA automatically terminates at 5pm on the 180th day of the Exclusive Investigative Period or your receipt of CA’s written notice to decline representation, whichever comes sooner. At the conclusion of the Exclusive Investigative Period or upon receipt of CA’s written declination of representation, you are permitted to seek alternative legal counsel without penalty.

Nothing in this agreement should be construed as a promise or guarantee that CA will represent you in a consumer lawsuit at any point in time. CA reserves the right to decline to represent you for any reason permitted by relevant laws and ethical rules.

Your Involvement and Promises to us

You agree to meaningfully participate and cooperate in CA’s investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s). You agree to immediately inform CA if your mailing address, e-mail address, or phone number changes at any point during the Exclusive Investigative Period.
You agree to provide all relevant information, communications, documents, materials, and all other similar instruments to CA and its representatives during the Exclusive Investigative Period. You understand that your failure to provide all relevant information, communications, documents, and materials to CA during the Exclusive Investigative Period may hinder, delay or otherwise frustrate CA’s investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s).

You agree, under penalty of perjury, to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information to CA. All documents and communications, oral or written, past or future, provided to CA during the Exclusive Investigative Period and anytime thereafter are presumed by CA to be true, complete, and accurate.

Fees and Costs Incurred During Exclusive Investigative Period

CA agrees that you will not incur any out-of-pocket fees or costs during CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period. However, if CA agrees to represent you in a consumer lawsuit, CA may recover the fees and costs incurred during the Exclusive Investigative Period from the Defendant pursuant to a future settlement or judgment.

You agree that CA has a right to place a lien on any future monetary recovery obtained by client related to the claims identified during CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period or as a result of CA’s investigative efforts. If you refuse to cooperate with CA in the formal pursuit of the consumer law claim(s) it identifies during or after the Exclusive Investigative Period, you agree that CA has the right to recover the fees and costs it incurred while investigating your potential consumer law claim(s).

Authorization to Use Your Electronic Signature

CA will send you any and all documents that require your signature. You authorize CA to affix your electronic signature to requests, disclosures, or other forms that CA deems reasonably necessary to the investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s) upon receipt of your approval or after the 7th day after the document was sent to you, whichever comes first. Your electronic signature will be used on any and all other subsequent documents that will need signature, affirmation, acknowledgment, or any other forms of authentication in reference to this matter under the above referenced procedure.

1You also agree to give CA the exclusive authority to investigate potential violations of state-specific consumer protection statutes.

All Rights Reserved. Without Prejudice. CONSUMER ATTORNEYS

FORM # INV2024CA119

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy, Investigative Retainer
Supported file formats:
Free Case Review
Zero Costs and Fees to You.
You pay nothing. The law makes them pay.
Get started
Contact Us
Head Office NY
72-47 139th Street, Flushing, NY 11367
Our social media
Our rating services
TrustpilotBetter Business BureauGoogle Business