DENVER (KDVR) — Technology is making it easier for scammers to trick rideshare drivers who use apps to verify passengers.
Caine Hager says he enjoys providing transportation for those who don’t own vehicles or need the convenience of rideshare services.
But Hager said after dropping off customers at Denver International Airport recently, he got a strange request on his Lyft app. Someone wanted to be picked up on one side of the airport and be dropped off on the other side.
“It’s not normal, but I thought maybe it’s just a client that needs to go from the west side to the east side, and I can help them out,” he said.
Before Hager could reach the passenger, he received a request to call the woman, so he did. But a man answered the call instead.
“They said, ‘This is the Lyft support team. From your last client, you just got a bad review, and it said that your profile did not match the look of the driver. We’re suspending your account,’” he said.
Hager knew his picture matched, so he waited for verification.
“I literally sat on hold for 25 minutes not receiving any rides, which was odd to me,” he said.
The scammer then said Hager’s verification checked out, so to make up for the delay, the company would provide compensation. To receive the funds, Hager had to go through another process to get back on the road and continue earning money.
“When you click accept on the express pay, that money goes directly to their card from your account,” he said.
Hager lost a total of $500.
Lyft scammers ‘scare-tactic you’
“That’s the trick. They scare-tactic you to be able to scare you and make you think differently,” Hager said.
Lyft investigated the case as soon as it was reported.
Hager told FOX31 he’s coming forward to warn other rideshare drivers.
“I think it’s so messed up that there are people out there that don’t really care about taking somebody’s income,” he said.
Lyft told FOX31 that Hager’s account has been secured and his money reimbursed. Lyft also permanently removed the scammer’s account from the app.
Lyft encourages drivers to report suspicious activity immediately and never share personal information and security codes with any unknown person.
Shaul Turner
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