In the world of ridesharing, drivers can face various scams that target their time, effort, and earnings. From theft to payment fraud, it’s essential to stay vigilant and know how to protect yourself. Below are seven common scams that drivers may encounter, along with strategies on how to avoid them.
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Intimidation and Theft
1. Threatening to Leave a Bad Review
A passenger tries to manipulate you by threatening to leave a negative rating if they don’t get what they want.
How to avoid this scam: If a passenger makes this threat, remain calm and suggest they contact customer support. Having a dashcam in your vehicle will give you all the evidence you need if the passenger actually reports you. You should also report the blackmail attempt to the rideshare company.
2. Intentionally leaving a mess for a refund
Even though your vehicle can look pristine on the inside, passengers can fake a mess by spilling a drink or other items so that they can report it and ask for a refund or discount.
How to avoid this scam: Take photos of your vehicle’s interior before you start and when you end each shift. If a false mess claim is made, provide evidence (timestamped photos or dashcam video) to the company to dispute the claim.
3. Theft from the Vehicle
Passengers can steal items from you, such as dashcams, phones, wallets, or other valuables.
How to avoid this scam: Always keep your personal belongings out of reach, install security cameras, and only allow passengers in designated areas of the vehicle. If you notice something has been stolen, file a police report, notify your company, and share any evidence you have, including the testimony of eyewitnesses.
Payment Scams
4. Fake Payment Confirmation
Passengers can pay for rides using a mobile app in some rideshare services. Scammers pretend to pay via the app, turn the phone towards the driver so they can see the payment confirmation screen, but then immediately cancel the transaction.
How to avoid this scam: Always verify payments as soon as they are done through the official rideshare app. Make sure the transaction is confirmed, and if it isn’t, politely ask the passenger to reattempt the payment. If they refuse, report them to the rideshare company or local authorities.
5. Fake Cash Payments
This occurs when a passenger either hands a counterfeit bill to pay with, or claims to have paid more than they actually did, saying that the change you gave them doesn’t match what you handed over.
How to avoid this scam: One easy solution for detecting fake money is to carry a counterfeit money detection marker, which can be easily found online and at local stores. If you prefer not to use this method, you can encourage passengers to pay digitally. If you do receive counterfeit money, report it to the authorities immediately. Don’t accept any payments that seem suspicious.
6. Ride-and-Dash
Just like what happens with diners trying to eat for free, some passengers can run away from the vehicle without paying, especially in cash-based taxi rides.
How to avoid this scam: Keep your vehicle’s doors locked until the payment is received. If a passenger runs away without paying, note their name (if provided) and description and immediately report them to your dispatcher, rideshare platform, or the police.
7. Chargeback Fraud
Sometimes, passengers can dispute a ride charge with their bank or the rideshare company after the trip has been completed, claiming they never took the ride.
How to avoid this scam: Install a dashcam in your vehicle. That way, every ride will be recorded, and you will have the necessary evidence in case of disputes. You can also encourage payments through trusted apps to ensure transactions are traceable. If a customer files a chargeback, you can submit ride logs, dashcam footage, and any relevant communication to the rideshare company or payment providers.
Final Thoughts
Being aware of these scams and knowing how to protect yourself is key to ensuring a smooth and profitable rideshare experience. By taking a few simple precautions—like using a dashcam, verifying payments, and staying alert—you can avoid these common fraud attempts and keep your business secure. Stay vigilant, and don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity.