Alright, I will admit. She had way too much to drink, and she was foaming at the mouth. Then she began to throw up on her shirt and skirt. Yes, I feel horrible, but I think we managed to not get any puke on the upholstery.
In any case, the driver pulls over (which is fine) and starts to snap pics, from different angles, with and wihout flash. It was totally uncalled for. In fact, I feel it criminal as he took pictures of my girl who was not feeling well. Upon asking, he told me he needed records.
What is he talking about? What a creep.
In order to request a cleaning fee from Uber. "Photo of Damage" is needed.
The reason the driver was taking pictures is most likely to submit a claim and request a cleaning fee from Uber. In order to submit this request, the driver needs to submit a "Photo of Damage," in order to helrp their case.
Who pays for the fee? How much is the cleaning fee?
When a passenger vomits in the vehicle or causes any damage, the driver is entitled to a cleaning fee which is passed onto the customers. If the driver requires a professional service to clean the vehicle, that exact amount can be assessed to you.
Even if the driver does not employ a professional, fees can be assesed. Since any damage or smell to the car can put the driver out of commission, some people claim that these fees are one way to compensate for their troubles and lost revenue.
Conflict Resolution?
The photos are not just for Uber to issue a payment but also to settle conflicts with the passenger. If a passenger disputes the charge later, Uber will review the photo to determine if an appropriate amount was charged. Uber may even send over the "proof" to the customer.
Driver Scams?
As a rider, you may want to fully understand the fees, when they are assessed and challenge them when necessary. There have been reports of driver scams, where these cleaning fees are requested even though there hasn't been much damage. There has even be reports where the driver would falsify the damages (fake puke anyone?) or even use past photos or photos found on the Internet!!
Uber Driver, CEO of TaxiFareFinder and Unleashed, LLC
Last updated May 11, 2018
RIDEGURU
Comments
I am a driver. I have heard of fake vomits, but the easiest trick I heard about is to just pour a bottle of water and then call it is pee. You can't tell the difference in a photo. Just wait to dry.
No, I have not done this. It's sure to trigger a conflict, and eventually it'll catch up.
This is why we can't have nice things. Why does the society be like this.
like this?
Why is the water beading on that seat. Is that some hydrophobic carseat? I want it.
All this talk about "gaming the system" leaves me baffled. Why anyone thinks they are going to make much money by tricking a customer or Uber/Lyft into a payment, is really more trouble than it's worth. What it proves to me is that the so called culture of the drivers in these services are no different and no better than the cab drivers the newer systems were alleged to replace. This kind of work attracts a certain share of mostly male, lazy drivers who seem to see the system as an opportunity to scam and get money for less effort.
When I drove a cab there were drivers who bragged about taking tourists the long way around in order to increase the fare. What they neglected to realize was that you make more money by carrying MORE PASSENGERS than you do by robbing the ones you have!
People know that there is a culture of deception, they can smell when people are not on the level and those who don't have time to just do the job and get on with it make it harder for those who are here to…
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All this talk about "gaming the system" leaves me baffled. Why anyone thinks they are going to make much money by tricking a customer or Uber/Lyft into a payment, is really more trouble than it's worth. What it proves to me is that the so called culture of the drivers in these services are no different and no better than the cab drivers the newer systems were alleged to replace. This kind of work attracts a certain share of mostly male, lazy drivers who seem to see the system as an opportunity to scam and get money for less effort.
When I drove a cab there were drivers who bragged about taking tourists the long way around in order to increase the fare. What they neglected to realize was that you make more money by carrying MORE PASSENGERS than you do by robbing the ones you have!
People know that there is a culture of deception, they can smell when people are not on the level and those who don't have time to just do the job and get on with it make it harder for those who are here to work.
As far as "fake vomit" and other scams, doesn't anyone check the metadata on the digitial image that shows exactly when an image was taken? I experimentend with this with Lyft a few months ago when I had a fender bender and they wanted images of the damage to the car. I sent them the right images, but I stripped the metadata and they refused to accept the images until I gave them an image that included the correct data. So why would fake vomit pictures be of any use? Are drivers eating pizza, drinking ipekac and taking pictures of their own vomit in order to rip off passengers?
Some people have no class. I guess that is how they want the world to treat them, and it probably will.
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You can fake the metadata pretty easily. Plus, you can even take a pic of a pic. Sigh, I know. In fact, this would be an example of what you say about it being too much trouble.
Then again, it's sad that Lyft cannot trust any of the claims and has to resort to checking the details on the files for deception. I feel bad for Uber and Lyft who have to fight these mud-slinging cat-and-mouse fraud war taking place between riders and drivers.
Did you see the water bottle trick below? It's good to see Lyft fighting back with checking the metadata, but that'll be hard to catch.
https://ride.guru/lounge/p/why-did-uber-drivers-take-pictures-of-my-girlfriend-puking#comment-3588
As of September of 2018, it's against Uber's policies to post pictures or videos of passengers. So the drivers cannot do this anymore. (Yes, it's a bit controversial as the cars are theirs and they should be able to record. Can they post? I guess that's the remaining question.)
Uber and Lyft confirm drivers can’t broadcast videos of passengers after a string of privacy incidents
Come on, man. Do drivers really do this?
Yeah, they do. Probably not as blatant as you might suspect. These scenarios are more realistic of what happens:
1) You do throw up *a little* in a vehicle. Then the driver exaggerates it by making more mess (that's relatively easy to clean up) before taking a picture. This enables the driver to claim a higher cleaning fee. Since the rider is expecting a charge, this reduces the chance they will dispute.
2) You are completely drunk and most likely won't remember. Then the driver makes up a mess, whether it's doritos on the floor or water on the seat. The passenger has a hazy memory and believes that the mess was indeed created by them.
3) Multiple passengers, i.e. diffusion of responsibility. When there are multiple people or multiple stops, the blame is spread across multiple people, and it becomes more difficult to dispute. So large parties, with multiple stops? Be careful and keep an eye peeled for those weird cleaning fees.
I was laughing and scoffing and completely being skeptical about this scam. You just made so much sense that now I am completely angry about this scam.
What. You throw up "a little"? Have you ever thrown up in your life? There is no "a little". Certainly not if it is alcohol puke, which has to be the vast majority of these cases. You either throw up a whole stomach, or you don't throw up.
boy you smaht.
I would have knocked the guy out. No need to take pictures.
Obviously he was a pervert. Such weirdo
I get the driver needs evidence but that is just gross man. I would hate knowing there are pictures of me out there puking...
People are thinking too hard on this thread. Obviously the driver is a creep and wanted pics of a girl in distress. sicko.
Your a idiot for letting your girlfriend get embarrassingly wasted .Is she a blonde ? I would have jerked her head back and forth until the last drop of puke came out of her . Then call a car.