May 12, 2017,  the morning news program presents a story about “FAKE” Uber and Lyft drivers committing crimes and attacking people who get in their cars.   They also report that these “FAKE” drivers even have Uber and Lyft stickers or placards on their vehicles.  The report was justified by a woman who came forward and wanted to warn other women about these incidents.   She stated that she was at a night club when she ordered an Uber for her ride home.   She went outside and saw a lot of cars around and got into a car that “LOOKED” like an Uber.  After getting in, the driver asked for her address and she gave it to him and then proceeded to fall asleep during the ride.  She awoke to this person physically and sexually assaulting her.  The reporter then gave suggestions to avoid getting into a fake Uber/Lyft.

First and foremost, I do not condone the actions of any person assaulting, harming or abusing another person.

Second, I do not fault the woman for what happened to her.  Regardless of the situation, she did NOT deserve to be assaulted or abused and I hope and pray they catch this predator.

But let’s get to some of the facts of the case.

1.  She ordered an Uber! –  Uber and Lyft have a wonderful app!  When you request an Uber/Lyft, the app will tell you a few things.  It will tell you the name of the driver, it will tell you the make and model of the vehicle and it has a picture of the driver and the vehicle.  It also shows the license plate number.
2.  She saw a car that “Looked” like an Uber!-  What does an Uber look like?  Ride Share vehicles are of all makes and models.   They, mostly, are the driver’s personal vehicle.  What makes a vehicle an Uber/Lyft?  The stickers or placards that are on the vehicles are available to anyone.   Most vehicles with these stickers or placards are actual ride share drivers!   So don’t be alarmed!
3.  She gave her address to the driver.  Sometimes riders forget to put the destination address into the app before getting in the car.   You have to make sure you add the destination address in the app when requesting an Uber/Lyft.  The driver won’t have to ask you, but most will confirm by reading the address to you and asking if it’s correct.

As an Uber/Lyft driver,   I am in awe of the failure of the riders to make sure they have the right driver.  Here are my suggestions to keep yourself safe!

USE YOUR APP!!!!

The app gives a description of the car along with a license plate.  Walk up to the car and before coming to the door, check the license plate!  Make sure the license plate matches what is on your APP.  Make sure the vehicle make and model also match what is on the APP!

As a driver, I am supposed to ask you for your name.  I am not supposed to tell you your name.  Someone could say they are you if they want to rob me.  So make sure you tell your driver your name but, before you get into the car, ask the driver for his/her name and confirm their name on your APP!

Once these things are verified, you are safe!  You are in the right Uber/Lyft.

If you are coming out of a party and you are intoxicated, try to have a friend walk you out and help you make sure that you are in the right Uber/Lyft.  I don’t know how many times I have picked up a young lady from a club and had to wake her up when we got to the destination address.  At the pick-up address, they’ve had friends verify me as the driver.  Once in my car, I had one that kept flirting and acting strange.  I got her to her address and waited for her to get into her apartment building.  I thought for sure that she was not gonna make it, but she did.

If you are not coherent enough to use your app, please make sure you ask somebody around you for help to find your driver.

Are there FAKE ride share drivers?  Aparently so, but….

If you use the APP the way you are supposed to, then the answer is NO.

Please don’t get into a car without verifying the vehicle and driver with your APP!