Users on TikTok say drivers are calling riders to “verify” their accounts, then asking for codes that could give scammers access to payment info and bookings.
WASHINGTON — Some Uber riders are warning others about a new scam, and it appears to be happening from drivers inside the app.
Multiple TikTok users recently reported being contacted by their Uber driver right after requesting a ride.
In each case, the driver called through the app and claimed that, due to a new Uber policy, the rider needed to “verify” their account before pickup. The driver then asked for the rider’s phone number, email and the verification codes sent to their device.
If shared, those codes can give scammers full access to the rider’s account, including payment methods, and allow them to change settings or book fraudulent trips.
In the cases shared online, the ride is canceled shortly after the rider refuses to provide the code. Some suggest the scam is tied directly to driver accounts or impersonators posing as them.
One TikToker in Vancouver said her driver insisted the code was just a “special verification we need for today.” When she declined, the caller became “frustrated" and the trip was canceled.
Uber publicly responded to her video, writing, “Support Team here — this is concerning to hear. We are currently investigating and have escalated this to a specialized team for further review.”
According to Uber’s website, the company “will never call, text or email you to request your password, verification code, or banking details.”