Watch Out For Shady Customers Using AI To Con Refunds, Pizzeria Owner Warns

A DoorDash customer sent in an AI-generated picture of a severely burnt pizza, demanding a refund, according to KTLA.

By Anna Schier, Patch Staff

Nov 11, 2026 4:24 PM PST

Owner Rhonda Reynolds ran the image through an AI-detection app that determined with 96 percent confidence that it was AI-generated, then watched security footage of the order being prepared, KTLA reported, adding it did not appear burned in the video. (Ellyn Santiago/Patch)

LOS ANGELES — The owner of a Los Angeles pizzeria is sounding the alarm on AI, telling KTLA that a customer used the technology to scam her business.

DoorDash user "Dani B" ordered a pie from Masa of Echo Park, then sent in a picture of a severely burnt pizza, demanding a refund, according to the outlet.

Owner Rhonda Reynolds ran the image through an AI-detection app that determined with 96 percent confidence that it was AI-generated, then watched security footage of the order being prepared, KTLA reported, adding that the pizza did not look burned in the surveillance video.

The person's refund was reversed, but Reynolds told KTLA the potential weaponization of AI to target small businesses was "a struggle" and "scary."