Uber

Uber In Depth

Sections on this page
  1. Common Uber Scams
  2. How to Beat Uber Scams
  3. Reporting Uber Scams

Uber, the world's most popular ride-sharing platform, grew out of a simple idea—the ability to find a ride simply by tapping a button on your phone. Since its launch by entrepreneurs Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp in 2009, Uber has dominated the ride-sharing industry, taking in 68% of that business in the U.S. alone. Today, 93 million customers worldwide use the Uber app, and 5.4 million drivers serve these customers—which is probably why Uber scams have become so common.

While Uber is primarily known for its ride-sharing, in 2015, it introduced its restaurant food delivery app, known as Uber Eats. Uber Eats ranks as one of the most widely used food delivery apps.

The convenience of pressing a button and ordering a ride or your next meal appeals to more than just Uber's vast customer base. Unfortunately, it makes it easy for scammers to trick unsuspecting victims.

Common Uber Scams

Whether you use Uber or Uber Eats, these are the most common scams to look out for.

Driver's a No-Show

You order a ride through the Uber app and wait for the car to arrive, but it doesn't. So you're forced to cancel the ride, which causes you to incur cancellation fees. Later, you might be dismayed to find out that you were still charged for the ride that never arrived.

Driver Requesting Cash Payment

When you arrive at your destination, your driver will insist that you selected a cash payment. You may believe you chose this option accidentally and pay the driver in cash. However, you'll end up incurring a cancellation fee if the driver claims you canceled just before picking you up.

In another version of this scam, the driver mentions that the app is not working at the moment, and you'll need to pay cash. You pay the driver in cash but find out later that your credit card was charged anyway, resulting in a double charge.

Fraudulent Charges

In this scam, you find out a day or two after your ride that the driver is charging you for cleaning fees or damages you supposedly caused to the vehicle. Of course, you know that you didn't make a mess or damage the car, but it's the driver's word against yours, and you may be hit with an expensive bill.

Inflated Rates

During the ride, the driver will ask you for additional fees to cover some unexpected expenses. For example, sometimes they'll ask for you to pay for tolls, or they might also take a strange, longer route to increase fares. Or they might not end the ride when you exit the car, which means you'll continue to be charged for additional mileage that you didn't travel.

Uber Eats scams

In this scam involving the food delivery app, customers order food and the order appears to go through. However, the app doesn't update the order status, and eventually, the driver cancels the order. The customer ends up being charged for the order, but the driver takes off with the food.

Non-Uber Drivers

If you're waiting for an Uber ride at a common Uber pickup area, such as an airport, you might inadvertently get into the wrong car. Fake drivers know how easy it is to mistake one car for another when you're in a rush. Sometimes they'll ask you to cancel the Uber ride you booked and pay cash. Or the driver could have even more dangerous intentions that could threaten your life and safety.

Phishing Scams

You may receive emails that appear to originate from Uber requesting that you reset your password using a link. However, when you click the link, you'll end up on a malicious website set up by scammers. If you try to reset your password as directed, scammers will gain access to your account to score free rides. 

Uber Scams Targeting Drivers

Uber drivers can be unwitting victims of scams, too. In one of the most popular scams, Uber drivers receive a phone call that appears to come from the ride-sharing company, offering them a bonus for excellent driving services. The person on the phone asks questions about the driver's account and banking information so they can transfer the bonus money to the account.

Unfortunately, the bonus never shows up. Instead, the scammer logs into the driver's Uber account fraudulently and either steals the fares, or gains access to the bank account so they can make fraudulent charges.    

How to Beat Uber Scams

As enjoyable and convenient as it can be to use Uber and Uber Eats, remember that you're ultimately dealing with a stranger. Awareness can help you get ahead of potential scams. Take these steps to avoid Uber and Uber Eats scams:

  • 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.
  • Ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car, as in, "Who are you here to pick up?"
  • 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.
  • Avoid clicking on any links in emails requesting that you reset your Uber password.
  • 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.
  • If you need to change your password or other account details, do so directly via the Uber website or app.

Reporting Uber Scams

If you find yourself a victim of an Uber or Uber Eats scam, here's how you can attempt to recover your funds and report the activity.

Contact Details

Uber



Verified.org

Verified Contact Details

It's important to verify links and contact details to beat imposters.

Report Drivers to Uber

If you believe an Uber driver has acted unprofessionally or tried to scam you, you can report the driver directly to Uber. You can also contact Uber if you think you were unfairly charged a cancellation fee or incurred any other charges you believe are fraudulent.

Provide as much detail as possible explaining how the driver acted and why this violates Uber's policies. Since it's usually the driver's word against yours, you may need to follow up with additional emails and phone calls to plead your case.

Dispute Charges with Your Credit Card Company or Bank

If Uber refuses to refund fraudulent charges, your next step is to contact your financial institution. Explain the situation and ask for the charge(s) to be reviewed. Sometimes, they will return the funds if you have a strong enough argument for fraud. 

Contact the Police if Your Life is in Danger

It can be extremely unsettling to end up in a car with a driver who's pretending to work for Uber or with a driver who does work for Uber but has bad intentions. If you feel that you're in a dangerous situation, you can request to end the ride immediately.

Another option is to call 911 by tapping the Emergency Button located in your Uber app. When you call emergency services from the Uber app, the app provides you with your real-time location and trip details that you can share with the dispatcher.

Scams Impacting Uber

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Uber Cancellation Fee Scams: Beware of Sketchy Uber Drivers
17 March 2022 |

Uber Cancellation Fee Scams: Beware of Sketchy Uber Drivers

If your Uber driver is a no-show, be sure you follow up and make sure you're not charged a cancellation fee—you could be falling into a scammer's trap.

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Selling on Facebook Marketplace? Beware of Fake Venmo Emails
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Selling on Facebook Marketplace? Beware of Fake Venmo Emails

Scammers are sending fake Venmo emails to Facebook Marketplace sellers in an attempt to steal login information and money.

Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake
10 February 2023 |

Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake

If you've received a locked debit card text message from Citibank, it's likely a scam. Don't click on the link and delete the text message.

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?
10 February 2023 |

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?

If you receive a text message from Chase Bank, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud
10 February 2023 |

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud

If you receive a text message from American Express, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Citizens Bank Text: Scam or Real Message?
10 February 2023 |

Citizens Bank Text: Scam or Real Message?

If you received a text message from Citizens Bank asking for personal information such as your password or login credentials, it may be from a scammer trying to steal your money.

Wells Fargo Text Alert - Is It A Scam?

Wells Fargo Text Alert - Is It A Scam?

Dangerous text message scams are targeting Wells Fargo customers. These text message alerts for Zelle transactions or purchases with retailers are scams.

Venmo Text Scam: Don't Fall For These Fake Messages
10 February 2023 |

Venmo Text Scam: Don't Fall For These Fake Messages

If you received a text from Venmo with a link to verify a payment or deposit, or are asked to complete a survey in exchange for money, it may be a scam.

Truist Text Alert: How to Identify a Real Text from a Scam
10 February 2023 |

Truist Text Alert: How to Identify a Real Text from a Scam

You may think that that Truist have sent you a text alert about your account. Here's how to check if it is actually a scam.

Wait! That Walmart Giveaway Text May be a Scam!
10 February 2023 |

Wait! That Walmart Giveaway Text May be a Scam!

Fake texts are being sent to consumers claiming a hefty sum is waiting for them on a Walmart gift card, but falling for this scam puts you at risk of identity theft.

Guides To Protect Against Automotive & Transport Scams

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How to Get Verified on TikTok
25 March 2024 |

How to Get Verified on TikTok

Securing that little blue checkmark can mean brand collabs, sponsorship opportunities, or protecting your unique content from impersonators.

How to Tell if Nikes Are Fakes: From Tags to the Stitching
29 February 2024 |

How to Tell if Nikes Are Fakes: From Tags to the Stitching

Nike is one of the biggest brands targeted by counterfeiters and scammers - be extra careful with Nike products from non-official retailers as you could end up with a fake

Funeral Homes & Prices - What Are The Costs & Your Rights?
18 February 2024 |

Funeral Homes & Prices - What Are The Costs & Your Rights?

Average prices from funeral homes range between $8k to $14k and consumers are meant to be protected by a 'Funeral Rule' - what are your consumer rights?

How to View Your Amazon Archived Orders & Hide Search History
13 December 2023 |

How to View Your Amazon Archived Orders & Hide Search History

If you share your account with multiple users, archiving your past orders is a good way to keep others from seeing your orders and ruining a surprise or seeing private orders.

The Dangers of Fake THC Vapes Flooding The Market

The Dangers of Fake THC Vapes Flooding The Market

If the health dangers surrounding vape cartridges weren't bad enough, fake THC vapes containing harmful contaminants are being sold.

News About Automotive & Transport Scams

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News in Other Categories...
Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision
22 March 2023 |

Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision

The CDC is warning eye drops users of a rare bacterial infection from 2 brands of eye drops. The infection is resistant to antibiotics and has resulted in the loss of vision, loss of eyeballs and the death of 3 patients.

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Zelle scams have reached a serious volume. New reports suggest that banks are looking at new refund protections for customers in 2023.

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia
10 October 2022 |

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia

Hackers have gained access to 9.8 million customer records from Optus in Australia, exposing personal information such as driver licence, medicare and passport details.

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

Find out what the overturning of Roe vs. Wade means for abortion rights in your state.

Searches for "COVID Vaccine 5G" Hit All-Time High, But Microchips Definitely Not in Vaccine
2 February 2022 |

Searches for "COVID Vaccine 5G" Hit All-Time High, But Microchips Definitely Not in Vaccine

The number of people searching for the term "COVID vaccine 5G" on Google has just hit an all-time high, but there's one way to be sure that there are no microchips.