A woman’s story about a fake rideshare driver in Seattle’s International District has sparked concerns about rideshare safety.
The woman posted on Reddit on Monday claiming that a man posing as a rideshare driver attempted to pick her up at South Lane Street and Sixth Avenue South in Seattle.
She wrote that he asked her if she was looking for an Uber and if was his passenger. When she asked to check the license plate on the car before getting in, the driver offered to charge her a smaller fee to get to her destination. She said no, and the driver left before she could check the plates
After the incident, the woman wrote she called police, and was advised if it happened again, she should call 911 immediately.
Rideshare company Uber shared safety tips for passengers when using rideshare vehicles:
1. Request your ride inside and wait indoors until your driver arrives.
2. Check the license plate, driver photo, and driver name to make sure it matches the app before getting in the car.
3. Ask the rideshare driver who they are picking up. Make the driver say your name first.
4. Don’t take a different ride than the one you selected in the app – even if the driver offers a lower rate.
5. If you’re riding alone, sit in the backseat. You and your driver will have more personal space, and you have an exit if necessary.
6. Share your trip details with family or a friend by tapping “Share status.” They can track your route to make sure you arrive safely.
7. Don’t share your personal contact information with your rideshare driver. All communication should be through the app.
8. If you feel unsafe, trust your gut and call 911.
