It is 2:00 AM in South Beach. The music is loud, the drinks have been flowing, and you just want to get back to your hotel. You open the Uber or Lyft app, request a ride, and stand on the curb. A black sedan pulls up. The driver rolls down the window and waves you in. You hop in the back seat, relieved to be off your feet.
But you never checked the license plate. And that car? It isn’t your Uber. Police in Miami Beach (and major cities across the US) are issuing urgent warnings about predatory criminals posing as rideshare drivers to target intoxicated tourists. Once you close that door, the child locks engage, and you are trapped.
The “Who Are You Waiting For?” Trick
This is the oldest trick in the book, and it works because we are polite. A predator pulls up to a crowded curb and asks, “Who are you waiting for?” The moment you say, “I’m waiting for David,” they smile and say, “I’m David, hop in.”
You just gave them the password to your own kidnapping. Never volunteer the name. Instead, ask the driver, “Who are you here for?” If they cannot say your name, do not get in the car. A legitimate driver has your name on their screen. An imposter is fishing for a victim who is too tipsy to notice.
The Child Lock Trap
The most terrifying aspect of these robberies is the entrapment. Police reports indicate that these fake drivers often engage the child safety locks on the rear doors before they start their shift. Once you get in and the car starts moving, you cannot open the door from the inside.
They will drive you to a secluded ATM or a dark side street and demand your phone, wallet, and passcodes at gunpoint or knifepoint. You are essentially in a mobile cage. Before you fully close the door, or immediately upon entering, check that you can open it. Better yet, check the license plate before you even touch the handle.
The “Offline” Cash Scam
Sometimes the scam isn’t a robbery, but extortion. The driver might tell you the app is down or ask if you can pay cash for a cheaper rate “off the books.” They might claim to be your driver but say their phone died.
If the ride is not being tracked by the app, you have zero safety features. No GPS tracking, no emergency button, and no record of who you are with. Never accept an off-app ride, no matter how much of a discount they offer. The app is your only digital lifeline; do not sever it.
The Sticker means Nothing
Do not be fooled by an Uber or Lyft sticker in the windshield. Anyone can buy those decals online for $5. They are not official identification. The only identification that matters is the make, model, and license plate number matching what is on your phone screen.
Predators know that tourists look for the sticker, not the plate. They rely on your fatigue and the chaos of a nightlife district to mask the discrepancies. If the app says a silver Toyota Camry and a black Honda Civic pulls up with a sticker, wave it away.
Verify Before You Ride
Rideshare apps have made travel easier, but they have also created a new vector for crime. The convenience creates complacency. It takes five seconds to walk to the back of the car and read the license plate. Those five seconds could save your life.
When you are out at night, especially if you have been drinking, travel in pairs if possible. Stay on the phone with a friend until the car is moving and you have verified the driver’s face. Be rude if you have to. Your safety is more important than the driver’s feelings. If the vibe is off, or the plate doesn’t match, do not get in.
Stay Safe Out There
Do you check the license plate every single time, or do you just look for the car color? Be honest in the comments—it might remind someone else to check!
What to Read Next…
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- 5 Ways to Spot a Fake Uber or Lyft Driver—And What to Do If It Happens to You
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The post Miami Beach Police Warn About Imposters Posing as Rideshare Drivers to Rob Bar-Goers appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
