In a striking confrontation that has sparked widespread discussion, an Uber Eats driver publicly called out a customer for falsely claiming she never received her food order, leading to the customer’s termination from her job at a Texas medical facility.
The incident, originally captured in a TikTok video, has gone viral on other social media platforms and highlights the challenges faced by gig economy workers and the consequences of dishonest customer behavior.
On July 16, 2025, Uber Eats driver Michelle Brinson (@blessedtobeme_3) delivered a McDonald’s order, including two spicy McChickens and a large Big Red, to a customer identified as Lastasia at Hillside Medical Group in Texas.
After the delivery, Lastasia reportedly marked the order as undelivered on the Uber Eats app, a move that could jeopardize a driver’s account and earnings.
Brinson, who earns approximately $2 per delivery, returned to the medical facility to confront Lastasia, recording the interaction.
In the video, Brinson points out the McDonald’s drink cup on Lastasia’s desk, stating:
“You told Uber you didn’t get your food. Your drink is right there.” Lastasia’s dismissive response, “I’m at work,” prompted Brinson to retort, “I don’t care. I’m at work. I have two kids. I make $2 a trip, and you’re gonna lie and say I didn’t bring your food?” Brinson pointed out the personal toll, noting her recovery from alcoholism and the financial strain caused by such claims.
The video, which amassed significant attention on social media, led to swift backlash against Lastasia.
Social media users expressed outrage, with one X post stating, “Shame on her for scamming the Uber Eats driver. They barely get paid anything anyway” (@USAF_Brat66, July 17, 2025).
The public outcry prompted Hillside Medical Group to respond. On July 17, 2025, Donna Marie Barry, the chief operating officer, released a TikTok statement confirming Lastasia’s termination as a “previous employee.”
Barry apologized to Brinson on behalf of the organization, stating:
“Our physicians’ community does not endorse the behavior of our previous employee.”
The company also sent Brinson $50 as a gesture of goodwill and requested the public refrain from posting negative reviews, citing their commitment to integrity.
The incident sheds light on a broader issue in the gig economy: false non-delivery claims. Such actions can lead to drivers’ accounts being penalized or deactivated, as Uber Eats often refunds customers without sufficient investigation, according to driver reports on platforms like Reddit.
A 2023 PCMag article noted that Uber implemented a system to identify habitual false reporters, but drivers like Brinson still face immediate financial risks. “It’s theft,” Brinson stated in the video, highlighting the impact on her livelihood as a single mother. Social media sentiment echoed this, with one user commenting:
“That’s exactly what her raggedy ass gets” (@all__aboutmi, July 18, 2025).
Hillside Medical Group’s owner, a physician who shared his own humble beginnings working at McDonald’s for $4.50 an hour, used the opportunity to address the controversy and promote his practice. In a follow-up TikTok, he explained that the organization’s mission is to provide accessible primary care in San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso.
This incident underscores the precarious nature of gig work, where low pay, sometimes as little as $5 an hour for 20 trips, leaves drivers vulnerable to customer fraud.
Advocates are calling for better protections for delivery workers and stricter measures against false claims. For now, Brinson’s bold confrontation has sparked a conversation about fairness and accountability in the food delivery industry.
