Local Walmart Spark Drivers Lose Pay To Driver Bot Fraud

by Janet Pattison

BAY COUNTY, FL – Walmart Spark drivers in Bay County are voicing frustration over alleged misuse of the delivery platform, claiming bots are being used by unvetted drivers to hijack orders, leaving local drivers with drastically reduced incomes.
Spark, a Walmart delivery service, allows independent drivers to pick up and deliver orders from Walmart stores.  However, drivers allege that individuals using automated third-party systems, known as bots, are unfairly dominating the system.
According to local Spark drivers, some users are running multiple accounts and phones, paying associates to load vehicles, and employing bots to capture orders instantly. This practice has reportedly allowed a small group of drivers to monopolize deliveries, leaving others struggling to secure orders.
“We used to make $300 to $400 a day,” said one driver. “Now we’re lucky to make $50. This has been going on since 2021, and Walmart knows about it but hasn’t acted to fix the system.”  The drivers claim the individuals involved in this apparent fraud often rotate between Walmart stores to evade detection, moving from store to store as Walmart employees begin monitoring ID checks more closely.  
Local drivers have documented car and license plate information of these bot users, with several plates from Tennessee, and are prepared to share testimonies to support their claims. They suspect many of these drivers are from Venezuela based on conversations they have overheard while waiting for ordes. Despite repeated reports to Walmart and Spark, drivers say little has been done to address the issue.
Additionally, some drivers allege that packages are not being handled properly, leading to complaints from customers. They also criticize Walmart for failing to police the Spark system effectively.
Drivers say they signed waivers prohibiting them from suing Walmart for system-related grievances, adding to their frustration.
“We’re just asking for fairness,” one driver stated. “The ones of us doing it right are on the verge of losing everything. Walmart needs to step up and fix this.”
This problem is nationwide.  
According to Business Insider, “In June 2023, some Spark workers protested outside a Chicago-area Walmart to call attention to drivers who appear to be using false identities and special software to claim more orders than their peers — and maximize their earnings. Business Insider's investigation into the claims found that some drivers were indeed showing up at Walmart stores around the US using multiple names that were not their own to claim orders. Walmart rolled out an identity-verification measure through the Spark app, but the problem has persisted, several Spark drivers have since told Business Insider.”
Kim from The Rideshare Guy compiled a video of stories from drivers across the country talking about competing against the third-party apps which allow unvetted drivers access to Spark deliveries.    
Walmart has acknowledged the bot issue internally with a message to their drivers, but has not yet implemented significant changes, according to Spark drivers. The problem remains prevalent across Bay County and the nation, affecting both the platform’s reputation, customer safety and drivers’ livelihoods.