A reader shared a frustrating and expensive experience at Chicago O’Hare that highlights what may be the latest Uber scam, and why one simple setting can save you a lot of money and aggravation.
The Latest Uber Scam And How A PIN Can Stop It
The incident happened during a late-night pickup at Chicago O’Hare. The reader requested an Uber, waited at the designated pickup area, and received a notification that the driver had arrived. But the driver never showed up. While the reader was still looking for the car, the trip suddenly started.
Confused, the reader messaged the driver, who responded about ten minutes later claiming he had picked up the wrong passenger. He said he would come back. Instead, the driver ended the trip, the reader was charged $23, and the driver disappeared. Uber’s system showed the ride ending on the side of a highway, even though the reader never entered the vehicle. After five hours, Uber support still had not responded.
This is not a simple mistake. It appears to be a deliberate tactic (and looking online, not so uncommon…). By starting the trip without the correct passenger and then ending it elsewhere, the driver triggers a fare while avoiding providing any actual service. The burden then shifts to the rider to dispute the charge and wait for support to intervene.
The vulnerability here is that Uber allows a driver to start a trip once they believe the passenger is onboard. In crowded pickup zones like major airports, it is easy for a driver to claim confusion, pick up the wrong person, or simply start the trip without anyone in the car.
Once the trip has officially begun, the clock is running. If the driver ends it shortly afterward, the rider may still be charged a base fare or minimum trip amount. At that point, resolution depends entirely on Uber support, which is often slow, automated, or unresponsive, especially during overnight hours.
The Simple Fix: Turn On Ride PIN Verification
There is a straightforward way to protect yourself. Uber allows riders to require a four-digit PIN before a driver can start the trip. When this feature is enabled, the driver must enter the PIN shown in your app before the ride can begin. No PIN, no trip.
This setting is especially useful in busy pickup areas like airports, concerts, or nightlife districts where drivers can plausibly claim confusion. It removes ambiguity and prevents a driver from starting a ride unless you are physically present.
To enable it, open the Uber app, go to Settings, select Safety, and turn on Ride PIN. You can choose to require it for all rides or only for nighttime trips.
CONCLUSION
This O’Hare incident is a good reminder that not every Uber issue is an innocent mistake. Whether driven by carelessness or intent, riders are increasingly exposed to charges for trips that never happened. Requiring a PIN is a small inconvenience that can prevent a much bigger headache.
If you frequently use Uber at airports or late at night, turning on PIN verification is one of the easiest ways to make sure your ride does not start without you, and that you are not left disputing charges while standing curbside with no driver in sight.
images: Uber
Very helpful. Thanks Matthew!
Great tip. The most concerning thing is how Uber has absolutely no customer service left whatsoever. They simply will not respond to any tickets or submissions. And there is not even a number to call. Perhaps exactly why so many drivers do this now as they know they can get away with it.
+1, this is a very helpful article. I love it when you share useful tips.
“Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci –
Unfortunately sophisticated drivers know they can use the last 4 digits of your phone number associated with your uber account. Within the US it is not a problem , however in Mexico for example, the uber driver can see your number, and can start the ride without it.
Don’t have that on my App, must be for USA customers with a US credit card only….. ?? I’m on an Australian card
Maybe? That’s odd.
I’m in AU and added it after reading this tip. Go to Settings/Safety/verify your ride.
What a baseless poorly written article. The wrong passenger gets into an uber sometimes.
Driver : Doug ?
Passenger : yes hello
Driver gets message from actual passenger saying I don’t see you.
Driver : This isn’t your uber. Your name is Doug right ?
Wrong passemger : no I’m not Doug
Driver : you told me you were. Get out of my car I’m not your uber.
Your friend will get their $23 refunded. Poor journalism Matthew the logic just wasn’t there on this one.
I’ve used the four-digit code for a while now and have never had any issues like this with Uber. It should come standard, not just an opt-in.