The risk nobody talks about (but everyone should)
You request an Uber, the app shows a car arriving, everything looks normal. Then a different driver shows up than what was on your screen, or the guy doesn't know your name, or he says the fare changed. If you got in the car without checking, you might be getting ripped off.
Ride-share apps like Uber, 99, Táxi, and even premium car services have become incredibly popular in Brazil. The problem? They've also become targets for scammers. Some steal your banking information. Others take you nowhere and charge you extra fees. And then there's the guy who cancels your ride in the middle of the trip.
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Talk to Adriano Soluções →The good news: with three or four quick checks before getting in the car, you'll avoid 99% of these problems.
Verify the details on your screen before entering
Stop relying on your gut feeling. The app shows several pieces of information that you actually need to check:
- License plate: compare it with the vehicle's plate that just arrived. If it doesn't match, don't get in. End of story. A scammer just wants to get you inside the wrong car so they can take you off the planned route.
- Model and color: the app says it's a black Gol? The car in front of you is a white Fiat? Red flag. Sometimes it's just the driver being careless, but why take the chance?
- Driver's photo: take a quick look at him. Doesn't have to be exactly the same (lots of photos are old), but it has to be roughly the same person. If the guy who got out has nothing to do with the photo, cancel and request another car.
- Driver's name: when he arrives, greet him by calling him by his name: