5 Common Uber Scams and Cons
( And How to Avoid Them)

1) Cash Double Payments

This scam attempts to trick a rider into paying for their fare twice or paying a fare and cancellation fee. As you arrive at your destination, you are told by the driver that you have selected the cash payment option and the driver then requests a cash payment for the ride.

The unsuspecting rider thinks they have made an honest mistake and pays for the ride in cash only to find out later that they were charged with the ride or a cancellation fee.

Cash payment is an option the driver must manually select in the app. Be wary of drivers who insist you have chosen to pay in cash without your express intent to do so. Do not pay in cash unless you intentionally selected that payment option. You can always verify with Uber support before making any cash payment.

2) Airport Rides From Non-Uber Drivers

Often times riders are approached at airports by non-Uber drivers claiming to be their assigned ride. These drivers will suggest you cancel the ride and pay in cash, often times offering a discount.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is an obvious indication you are not dealing with an official Uber driver. Always confirm details of your trip through the app and resist canceling any rides.

3) Information Blackmail

With the convenience of Uber also comes a level of exposure. The trade-off for transportation at the click of a button in some cases is leaving a stranger with more personal information about yourself than you would like. A driver has access to your address, often times your cell phone number, your description, and other pieces of information that can be used to manipulate riders.

One form of an elaborate Uber con revolves around drivers with multiple trips to the same house. If the driver has previously driven the wife home, for example, the driver will then make up an elaborate story when he sees he is picking up a man from the same address. These stories range from accusations of infidelity to drug use. The driver then will contact the original passenger and threaten to share more disparaging accusations unless a sum of money is paid.

This con is less common as it relies on multiple trips to the same address but in areas where there are fewer available drivers the probability of this type of con increases with the likelihood of having a repeat driver.

The best practice to avoid these situations is to be wary of any driver attempting to gain additional information from riders. Uber screens drivers to be professional and riders should be wary of any driver that attempts to discuss or disclose any information that does not pertain to the current ride. If a driver ever contacts you after a trip, you should cease communication and report them.

4) Anonymous Threats

Another con that unfortunately has become more common in recent years is based on drivers receiving anonymous threats shortly after completing a trip. As mentioned before, Uber drivers are privy to personal information that can be used for manipulation.

This con begins with a rider receiving an anonymous text or phone call threatening violence unless a sum of money is paid. While normally this would be alarming in any setting, what makes this con effective is that the anonymous person will have very detailed information about the victim including a description, what clothes they are currently wearing, some information on their previous whereabouts, and lastly their home address.

In these cases, threats should never be taken lightly and should be reported to local authorities. The best practice again is to be wary of providing any additional information that can be used in a scam or con. It is also recommended to avoid putting your exact home address in the app. It is a good idea to be dropped off a couple of houses away to avoid sharing your exact home address.

5) Charging A Fake “Cleaning Fee”

Additional cleaning fees on Uber rides can get upwards of $500. Anytime you have a trip with a large group, late at night, drivers should be wary of shady drivers that claim damage or messiness in the vehicle.

A $20 ride can suddenly jump to $300. If you feel the driver is not happy with your group and want to avoid unforeseen charges, it is good practice to apologize to the driver and over-communicate.

Taking pictures of the vehicle before you exit is always a smart idea. You are creating evidence that can help dispute any cleaning fees. By documenting, a rider is giving themselves a defense should the driver claim damages.

Best Practice to Avoid Uber Scams and Cons

• Make sure the face of the person picking you up matches the photo in the app.

• Check the license plate, car make, and model to make sure it matches the vehicle information in the app.

• Do not get in the car if the information or photo doesn't match the app details.

• Do not share personal information with drivers or engage in any kind of interaction once the trip has concluded

• Share your trip status in the app with a friend or family member, who will then be able to track your trip and estimated arrival time.

• Do not pay outside of the app, even if a driver requests it—end the ride if necessary.

• Confirm the fee and the destination when you enter the vehicle.

• Take photos of the vehicle's interior in case the driver claims you caused damages, so you can prove that you didn't.

• Double-check that the app confirms the ride has ended when you leave the car.

• Always report any suspicious or dangerous activity to Uber or local authorities

Conclusion

The benefits of ride-sharing cannot be denied. These apps have transformed the way we move through the world, but like anything else, any advancement comes with its share of pitfalls.

Being educated on the various types of scams and cons is the best defense in protecting yourself from manipulation.

Unfortunately, scammers and con artists are creative and inventive in their methods for exploiting passengers. As technology evolves so will their methods. All the above-listed methods are great ways to protect yourself now and in the future.

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