It’s summer, which means barbecues, parties and more people out and about using Uber to get from A to B. A great ride starts with your safety, and with Uber, that starts with getting into the right car.

That’s why this summer we’re launching a public awareness campaign about steps people can take to avoid getting into the wrong car. While rare, in partnership with law enforcement, we have been made aware of reports from cities across the country about rideshare scams. Unauthorized individuals may pose as rideshare drivers and target people who appear to be distracted or impaired. Some may offer to give free rides or discounted rides if paid in cash.

We want to proactively educate potential riders about how they can avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

One key way is to double check two important details before starting a trip – the driver and the car. When requesting a trip through the Uber app, you receive the driver’s photo, name, the car make/model and license plate number.

In cases when you are helping someone request a ride through Uber who may have had a few drinks or is unfamiliar with the app, help them double check that the driver and vehicle match the details in the app — before they get in the car.

If the information doesn’t match up, do not get into the car. Go to a safe place and wait for the right car to arrive, or cancel the ride and report it to us. In an emergency or if you feel threatened, contact police immediately and inform us of the incident when it’s safe to do so.

And if you’re a driver, you can help ensure you have the right passenger in your car by asking for the account holder’s name before starting the trip.

Taking the extra step to double check these details is an important safety measure. Remember that rides can only be requested through the Uber app. If you get into the wrong car, you won’t know who is behind the wheel and neither will we.

Technology has enabled Uber to build safety into our service before, during and after a trip. But these features only work if you are actually on an Uber trip, including:

  • GPS-tracked rides from start to finish. Passengers can see their route, and the location of their car, in the app throughout the journey. Drivers and passengers know that there is a record of the journey which creates more accountability.
  • The ability to share details of each trip in real time with family and friends, including route and estimated arrival time.
  • Two-way feedback system that allows for the driver and rider to rate each other and provide feedback. Uber reviews this information and investigates any issues.
  • Cross-street feature which enables riders to enter in their cross streets as a pick-up or drop-off destination if they want an extra layer of privacy.
  • 24/7 customer support that is ready to respond to any issues or inquiries.  

So don’t forget to check your ride to ensure you, your friend, or loved one is getting into the right car.

# # #