“HELP” Found on Burger Receipt Sparks Police Call — Turns Out to Be Employee’s Joke

A bizarre and chilling incident at a Florida fast-food restaurant recently went viral after a customer discovered the word "HELP" written both on their hamburger box and receipt — prompting a call to the police.

According to the New York Post on May 13, a user on Reddit shared photos from a visit to a fast-food restaurant in Lake Wales, Florida, where they found the word "HELP" scrawled in black marker on the packaging of their meal. The same word also appeared on the printed receipt, which the customer described as “creepy.”

Fearing that an employee might be in danger or trying to secretly communicate a distress call, the customer contacted authorities.