Watch CBS News

Scam Goes Phishing For Uber Drivers

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - An Uber driver got caught up in an old school scam that nearly cost her a day's earnings.

"I had just passed the main post office when the call came through," said one Uber driver who didn't want to reveal her name. "It was just over 100 dollars."

Earlier in the month, she said she received series of calls from someone who she thought was a representative at Uber.

"They started asking all sorts of direct pointed questions to find out information about my Uber account," she said.

It turns out the caller was a scam artist who pressed her for her Uber login credentials.

"They said if you don't we are going to deactivate your account right now," she said. "And I'm thinking, 'oh come on, I just made a bundle of money and haven't cashed out'."

She gave them the information they requested and soon after her earnings for that day were stolen from her account. After an investigation, Uber determined that she had been the victim of a third-party phishing scam.

"Never trust anybody that calls you looking for information," said Adam Levin, chairman of Cyber Scout.

Levin said it's a common scam in those behind it will use the phone, or email, and pose as everything from an employer to a government official to get you to turn over your personal information.

"Always confirm who they are. Get their number and call them back. Like when you get a call from your bank, the minute they ask you for any further authentication, say I'm going to call you right back. Flip over your credit or debit card and get the number for customer service," said Levin.

In the end, Uber did reimburse their driver for her stolen wages and they're warning others not to fall for the same scam.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.