RIDEGURU
Is this a driver scam? Driver starts the trip WITHOUT YOU in the car. Why? Maybe to find your destination? Then cancels if he doesn't like it.
Posted 6 years, 3 months ago
Posted In
Rideshare Scams
Discuss known or suspected scams in the rideshare industry. Share your experience here.
Posted By
ChrisWeston
95
Rider
Ride Apprentice
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Comments
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How long ago did you order your ride? If the driver already circled the block, the timer may have already started. After counting down, the driver could either cancel on you not knowing where you were going, (unlikely if he was driving at Uber Black/SUV rates) or he could have started the trip while he continued to wait. (PER MINUTE CHARGES ARE CHEAPER THAN WAIT TIME, SO THAT'S A WAY DRIVERS HELP YOU IF YOU'RE RUNNING BEHIND) That he didn't cancel the ride indicates that he planned to wait for you, but instead you assumed the worst, cancelled the ride yourself, and jumped to accusations without giving the driver the opportunity to present his side of the story.
This is the second time you've called drivers names, lumping us all together as "crooked." Quit being so damn paranoid and discuss the situation before levying insults.
In some cases, I suspect "the scam" may be an undertaking by taxi drivers to destroy the reputation of rideshare drivers through negative "stories" posted in forums such as this.
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I know on Lyft some drivers hit Arrived before they actually arrive (this will show us your destination) and this is the moment some unethical drivers cancel.
Not sure what happened in your case, but I had a few instances where a passenger waiting for an uber will jump in an Uber that he thinks is coming for him. Especially if the vehicle type is the same as they one that was coming for you. It doe not happen much to me as I am a part time driver and work in a much slower market than where you are and my car is not that common as say a black suburban.
You would be surprised how rarely passengers will actually look at the license plate.
Thing is if driver did accidentally get a wrong passenger and started the trip, the passenger will probably notice they are bing driven to the wrong destination and cancel the ride so driver will have to let them go. that is if the passenger does not cancel and re-request and get the same driver which is a hit or miss in busy markets (despite driver …
I know on Lyft some drivers hit Arrived before they actually arrive (this will show us your destination) and this is the moment some unethical drivers cancel.
Not sure what happened in your case, but I had a few instances where a passenger waiting for an uber will jump in an Uber that he thinks is coming for him. Especially if the vehicle type is the same as they one that was coming for you. It doe not happen much to me as I am a part time driver and work in a much slower market than where you are and my car is not that common as say a black suburban.
You would be surprised how rarely passengers will actually look at the license plate.
Thing is if driver did accidentally get a wrong passenger and started the trip, the passenger will probably notice they are bing driven to the wrong destination and cancel the ride so driver will have to let them go. that is if the passenger does not cancel and re-request and get the same driver which is a hit or miss in busy markets (despite driver sitting next to you) :)
That is why it is a good idea for drivers to ask the passengers "may I have your name please"? to make sure they are picking up the right passenger
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This is a real stupid way to scam passengers. The dude would be on the hook for a on-star rating no matter what.
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Guy, chill out with assuming the driver is unethical... As others have pointed out it was probably a mistake
I've been seen a few scam attempts by drivers. Here's one.
I requested an Uber once in Mid-town after my shift, and, just as anyone would do, I followed the driver's location in the Uber app. I saw the car icon nearing my location, so I looked down the busy road in search of the driver.
I saw a Black Suburban, I verified the license plate, and I knew it was my Uber. Then, two things happened that left my in disbelief.
The driver obviously started the ride WITHOUT ME IN THE CAR. I immediately killed the trip in my app and filed a complaint with Uber. They refunded me, but they told me the reason was that someone else got on my Uber. I am pretty darn sure that it was the driver who just didn't want me as a rider.
I spoke to a few people about this, and at first I thought maybe he didn't like me based on some visual queues. However, they all thought if that was the case, he could have canceled the ride (and maybe even seek for a no show, if he is unethical).
Then it dawned on me. He probably didn't like my destination. That was the only way for him to see it.
So, let me ask anyone reading this. Does this happen? Is this a known scam? I didn't lose much time as all I had to do was call another. I didn't lose any money, because Uber refunded me. What ticks me off is that the driver was unethical and wasted everyone's time.