Scam category
Rideshare scams
Rideshare scams take advantage of the trust riders place in app-based transportation. Scammers impersonate drivers to pick up riders outside the app, manipulate fare structures with fake surge pricing, or send phishing messages claiming account issues. Drivers are also targeted with fake rider accounts and payment reversal schemes.
Category activity
“Uber scam”
↑ 138%Watch for
- A driver asks you to cancel and pay cash or use a payment method outside the rideshare app.
- You receive a text or email about account suspension that links to a page asking for login credentials.
- The driver's name, photo, or vehicle does not match what the app displays.
Common searches
OpenScam News Feed
fake Uber driver scam
An unauthorized driver approaches riders claiming to be their Uber, collects cash or takes them to a different destination — the rider has no Uber safety protections.
Always verify the driver's name, photo, vehicle make/model, and license plate in the app before entering any vehicle.
Rideshare users
U.S.
surge pricing manipulation scam
Drivers coordinate to create artificial demand in an area by simultaneously going offline, triggering surge pricing, then going back online to collect inflated fares.
Wait a few minutes before accepting a surge-priced ride — artificial surges typically resolve quickly.
Rideshare users
U.S.
vomit fee fraud scam
A rideshare driver falsely claims the rider vomited or damaged the vehicle and submits fabricated photo evidence to the platform, which charges a cleaning fee to the rider's account.
Take a photo of the back seat when you exit any rideshare vehicle as documentation.
Rideshare users
U.S.
phantom ride charge scam
A rider's account is charged for a ride that never took place — either through account compromise or a driver fraudulently starting and completing a trip without the passenger.
Review your rideshare ride history regularly and dispute any trips you do not recognize.
Rideshare users
U.S.
fake Lyft support call scam
A caller posing as Lyft support contacts drivers or riders claiming there is an account issue, then steals login credentials or payment information.
Never provide passwords, verification codes, or payment details to inbound callers — Lyft and Uber will never ask for these by phone.
Rideshare users
U.S.
rideshare account takeover via phishing
Riders receive phishing emails or texts mimicking Uber or Lyft, leading to fake login pages that capture credentials used to hijack accounts and book rides on the victim's payment method.
Never click links in texts or emails claiming to be from rideshare companies — open the app directly instead.
Rideshare users
U.S.
driver impersonation at airport scam
An unlicensed driver holds a sign or uses a tablet displaying a passenger's name at airport arrivals, impersonating a pre-booked car service to charge inflated rates or commit robbery.
Only use designated rideshare pickup zones and verify the driver and vehicle details in your app before entering.
Rideshare users
U.S.
inflated route rideshare scam
A rideshare driver intentionally takes a longer route to increase the fare, exploiting riders who are unfamiliar with the area or not monitoring the trip in the app.
Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route.
Rideshare users
U.S.
stolen credit card rider scam
Fraudsters use stolen credit card information to create rideshare accounts and book rides, leaving the cardholder with unauthorized charges and the platform with chargeback losses.
Monitor your credit card statements for unfamiliar rideshare charges and dispute them immediately.
Rideshare users
U.S.
rideshare vehicle rental scam
A scammer offers to rent a vehicle to aspiring rideshare drivers at inflated rates with predatory terms, often using a car that does not meet platform safety requirements.
Use official rideshare rental programs like Uber's vehicle marketplace or Hertz partnership instead of private listings.
Rideshare users
U.S.
fake Uber driver at airport scam
Imposters posing as Uber drivers approach travelers at airports, offering rides in unmarked vehicles and charging inflated fares or, in worst cases, committing robbery.
Always request your Uber through the app and verify the driver's name, photo, car make/model, and license plate before getting in.
Travelers
U.S.
Uber surge price manipulation scam
Drivers coordinate to temporarily go offline in busy areas to artificially trigger surge pricing, then go back online to collect inflated fares from passengers.
Wait a few minutes before booking when you see sudden surge pricing — artificial surges typically resolve quickly.
Uber riders
U.S.
Uber gift card payment for ride scam
Fake Uber drivers or scammers posing as Uber support demand payment via gift cards instead of the app, often targeting elderly passengers or those unfamiliar with the platform.
Uber never requests payment through gift cards — all ride payments are processed through the app.
Older adults
U.S.
Uber rental car bait-and-switch scam
Drivers using Uber Rent or third-party rental vehicles swap confirmed car details at the last minute, arriving in a different vehicle and sometimes charging additional fees off-platform.
Never get into a vehicle that does not match the details in your Uber app — make, model, color, and license plate must all match.
Uber riders
U.S.
Uber lost item fee scam
Dishonest drivers falsely report that a passenger left an item in their car, triggering a cleaning or return fee charged to the passenger's account for an item that was never lost.
Check your Uber receipts after every ride and dispute any unrecognized charges immediately through the app.
Uber riders
U.S.
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