Fake Accounts, Real Threat: Incognia 2025 State of Fraud in the Gig Economy Uncovers Identity Crisis Fueled by App Tampering and Multi-Accounting

73% of respondents say stopping multi-account creation is their top priority this year, as fraudsters shift from payments to identity manipulation

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from Incognia, a pioneer of next-generation identity solutions that enable secure and seamless digital experiences, reveals gig platforms are facing a mix of familiar abuse tactics - from collusion to refund scams, promo abuse and chargebacks - but the ways fraudsters are exploiting opportunities is evolving. According to the Incognia 2025 State of Fraud in the Gig Economy, 73% of respondents say stopping multi-account creation, which allows bad actors to return again and again under new identities, is their top fraud prevention priority for the year.

"Multi-accounting and ban evasion aren't just side issues, they're now central to how large-scale abuse operates," said André Ferraz, co-founder and CEO at Incognia. "From stacking promotions to exploiting refunds or running coordinated scams, the common thread is the ability to create and recycle accounts without detection. Tackling this challenge is key to the gig economy stopping abuse at its source."

The annual report, based on a nationwide survey of fraud leaders at food delivery, ride-hailing, and other gig economy platforms, also found that nearly 75% of fraud professionals are most concerned about application tampering, a constantly evolving category of mobile fraud that includes app cloning, code injection, and device farming. These tactics allow fraudsters to mimic legitimate users, bypass detection systems, and run fake accounts.

To fight back, more companies are turning to device fingerprinting. A startling 86% of respondents say their platforms are using some form of device ID, but only about half are leveraging tamper detection (48%) or location intelligence (52%). This suggests that many platforms don't yet recognize the limitations of device fingerprinting and the impact that outdated technologies may be having on their fraud rates. Without tamper detection as a first layer, for example, even the best device ID or identity verification solution becomes unreliable.

Incognia ID  is closing this gap by going beyond legacy device fingerprinting, combining device intelligence and location behavior for unmatched accuracy in detecting and preventing fraud. Securing the necessary funding for these advanced fraud prevention solutions still has room for improvement. Nearly two out of 10 respondents say their team's budget was reduced or they are unsure of fraud budgets this year and next; however, 81% of respondents said their fraud budgets will either increase or hold steady. For underfunded teams, support will likely depend on demonstrating business value, including positioning fraud prevention as a driver of efficiency and profitability.

"Too many platforms believe having a device ID or other identity signal in place is enough, but if it's weak or easily bypassed, it won't solve the problems that matter most," added Ferraz. "At Incognia, we know that not all fraud tools are created equal - true protection requires strong, tamper-aware solutions that can't be easily bypassed so platforms can stop fraud at scale. The reality is - fraud prevention is no longer just about stopping theft, it's about protecting the integrity of the platform and brand."

Incognia supports over half of the largest food delivery and ride-hailing companies globally, including Grubhub and Delivery Hero. Incognia also works with global companies across mobility, marketplaces and finance, delivering a 99.999999% identification accuracy and driving an average 6X ROI for its customers. For the full Incognia State of Fraud in the Gig Economy report, click here.

About Incognia
Incognia is a pioneer in next-generation identity solutions, delivering secure and seamless digital experiences. Its flagship product, Incognia ID, combines advanced device recognition, location intelligence, and tamper detection to power precise fraud prevention and frictionless user verification. With customizable risk assessment and actionable insights, Incognia helps gig economy, marketplace, and financial services companies protect their reputation, retain users, and drive revenue.

SOURCE Incognia