8 Uber and Lyft Scams Every Driver Should Know

List of Common Rideshare Scams

1. The Free Ride Scammer

One of the most frustrating Uber and Lyft scams involves passengers trying to score a free ride. After completing the trip, they might file a false complaint with the rideshare company, claiming poor service or even that the trip never happened. This scam is designed to get a refund at your expense.

How to handle it:

The best way to protect yourself is to document everything. After each trip, rate your passenger and write a brief note if anything out of the ordinary happened. If a false complaint does arise, report the passenger immediately through the app. Uber and Lyft take driver feedback seriously and will investigate complaints.

2. Overcrowding the Vehicle

Some passengers try to avoid paying for a larger vehicle by squeezing in more people than allowed. Overcrowding can lead to safety issues and might even get you a ticket, not to mention deactivation from Uber or Lyft.

What to do:

It’s crucial to enforce passenger limits for both safety and legal reasons. Politely remind passengers of the vehicle’s seating capacity and refuse to start the ride if they insist on overcrowding. Safety first, always!

3. The Destination Switch

Another common Uber and Lyft scam involves passengers requesting to change destinations mid-ride, but without updating it in the app. This is risky because passengers can later complain that you took them to the wrong location, and without app verification, it’s your word against theirs.

Tip to get ahead of this:

Always ask passengers to update the destination in the app, no matter how small the change might seem. This protects you from false claims and ensures you’re paid correctly for the trip.

4. Cash Offerings

Sometimes, passengers will offer cash for a ride. While it might seem tempting, this is a dangerous move. Accepting cash rides goes against Lyft’s and Uber’s terms of service and leaves you unprotected by the company’s insurance policies in case of an accident.

How to refuse cash:

If a passenger insists, kindly explain that payments must be made through the app. Besides the legal risks, anyone who refuses to pay with a card may be looking to scam you.

5. The Fake Bill Trick

This scam involves passengers paying with fake hundred-dollar bills in hopes that drivers won’t notice. Fake currency is a growing issue, and once you accept it, it’s nearly impossible to get reimbursed.

How to spot it:

Become familiar with recognizing counterfeit money, but your safest bet is to avoid cash transactions altogether. Just say no to cash rides, and you won’t have to worry about this scam.

6. Recruiting Rideshare Drivers

Though not exactly a scam, some passengers may try to recruit drivers from one platform to another. This is more common with Lyft recruiting Uber drivers, offering promises of bonuses and better conditions.

How to respond:

It’s up to you whether to entertain these conversations, but don’t feel pressured into making any changes on the spot. Research the offers thoroughly before making any moves.

7. Random Passengers

One of the simplest, yet most concerning, Uber and Lyft scams is when passengers try to hop into the wrong vehicle. This can be a mistake, but sometimes people do it intentionally, hoping to get a free ride or confuse the driver.

Stay safe:

Always verify passengers before letting them in. Ask for their name, and keep your doors locked until you’ve confirmed it. This simple habit can prevent a lot of confusion and ensure you’re picking up the right person.

8. The Canceler

The Canceler scam happens when passengers cancel the ride mid-trip. They might do this to try and get a free ride, assuming that drivers won’t notice until they’ve already covered a significant distance. Without an active ride in the system, drivers won’t get paid for the trip.

How to manage it:

Always keep your GPS on and ensure that all trip notifications are audible. If a passenger cancels mid-trip, politely ask them to exit the vehicle and explain that the ride is no longer valid. In more extreme cases, if the passenger refuses to exit, don’t hesitate to involve law enforcement.