$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
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.
“Uber scam”
↑ 138%Key indicators
Usually targetsRideshare users
Often hitsDrivers and gig workers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
The driver identifies riders who appear unfamiliar with the area — tourists, airport arrivals, or nighttime riders.
2
Instead of following the app's optimized route, they take a longer path with more miles or time.
3
The final fare exceeds the estimate, and the rider may not realize the detour occurred.
What to do first
Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route.
Related terms
long-hauling scamroute manipulation fraudrideshare detour scamRideshare scamsAppRisingRideshare usersTravelersUrban commutersDrivers and gig workersTravelersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadalong-hauling scamroute manipulation fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Nicole, 35, a rideshare users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate rideshare scams situation while using App. The driver identifies riders who appear unfamiliar with the area — tourists, airport arrivals, or nighttime riders.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Instead of following the app's optimized route, they take a longer path with more miles or time.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The final fare exceeds the estimate, and the rider may not realize the detour occurred.
The outcome
Nicole realized something was wrong when the driver ignores the navigation route shown in the app and takes a different path. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route. Nicole's experience shows why the driver ignores the navigation route shown in the app and takes a different path and the fare is significantly higher than the initial estimate without surge pricing are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The driver ignores the navigation route shown in the app and takes a different path
- The fare is significantly higher than the initial estimate without surge pricing
- The driver claims the route is faster despite being obviously longer
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route.
- ✓If the fare is significantly higher than estimated, request a fare review through the app.
- ✓Rate the driver accurately and include details about the route deviation in your feedback.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Investigations by news outlets in New York, Miami, and Las Vegas have documented rideshare drivers consistently taking longer routes with out-of-town passengers.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route.
- ✓If the fare is significantly higher than estimated, request a fare review through the app.
- ✓Rate the driver accurately and include details about the route deviation in your feedback.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Investigations by news outlets in New York, Miami, and Las Vegas have documented rideshare drivers consistently taking longer routes with out-of-town passengers.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Rideshare users, Travelers, Urban commuters, Airport travelers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
App — Rideshare scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Rideshare users are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Investigations by news outlets in New York, Miami, and Las Vegas have documented rideshare drivers consistently taking longer routes with out-of-town passengers.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about inflated route rideshare scam
How does the inflated route rideshare scam work?+
The driver identifies riders who appear unfamiliar with the area — tourists, airport arrivals, or nighttime riders. Instead of following the app's optimized route, they take a longer path with more miles or time. The final fare exceeds the estimate, and the rider may not realize the detour occurred.
What are the warning signs of inflated route rideshare scam?+
The driver ignores the navigation route shown in the app and takes a different path The fare is significantly higher than the initial estimate without surge pricing The driver claims the route is faster despite being obviously longer
What should I do if I encounter inflated route rideshare scam?+
Follow your trip in the app and speak up immediately if the driver deviates from the suggested route. If the fare is significantly higher than estimated, request a fare review through the app. Rate the driver accurately and include details about the route deviation in your feedback.
Who is most at risk for inflated route rideshare scam?+
This scam primarily targets Rideshare users, Travelers, Urban commuters, Airport travelers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on App.
Is inflated route rideshare scam on the rise?+
inflated route rideshare scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
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