A COUPLE on heading to their cruise vacation took a terrifying turn when their Uber driver turned out to be an imposter, according to police.
The app initially refused to give the couple their money back for the trip, saying the ride was not “eligible” for a refund.
The incident unfolded as husband and wife Natasha and Randy Roosekrans headed to Port Everglades in South Florida[/caption]
A couple heading to a Florida cruise say their Uber driver turned out to be an imposter using someone else’s account (stock image)[/caption]
Things escalated when police got involved and the couple was left stranded with their luggage.
The incident unfolded as husband and wife Natasha and Randy Roosekrans headed to Port Everglades in South Florida to board a cruise heading for Europe.
They had flown in from Georgia for their vacation and booked an Uber from their hotel to the terminal.
It was the Roosekrans’ first time using the rideshare app.
“Everything seemed legit,” Natasha told Fox News affiliate WSVN.
According to Randy, the car “matched the number” on the Uber app, had the correct license plate, and even displayed the Uber logo.
The driver even had a four-digit PIN.
Riders receive unique PINs “whenever you request a ride,” according to Uber, which can be used to verify the ride.
But things for the Roosekrans quickly took a bizarre turn.
Just ten minutes into the ride, the driver told them he forgot his wallet.
Because all adults must show ID at the port checkpoint, the driver asked Randy to switch seats and drive instead.
“He said, ‘You’ve got your passport on you…why don’t you just drive in,’” Randy recalled.
Believing he was helping, Randy got behind the wheel and the driver climbed into the passenger seat.
However, the switch-up drew attention from police at the checkpoint.
Uber’s Driver Screening
“Everyone who drives with Uber is screened before their first trip. In addition, Uber reruns these driver screenings at least every year and uses technology to look for issues in between. It’s part of our commitment to help keep you safe when you request a ride with Uber.
“Drivers are background checked before their first trip
“Prospective drivers must undergo a multi-step safety screen that checks for issues including, but not limited to impaired driving and violent offenses.
“Ongoing checks are built into the Uber platform
“We use technology that obtains criminal offenses from a number of data sources. If an offense involving an active driver is identified, we’ll review these notifications to determine whether they’re still eligible to drive with Uber.
“Drivers must pass an annual check to continue accessing the app
“Uber reruns driving and criminal history checks at least every year to ensure that drivers continue to meet our standards.
“Assuming someone else’s identity is prohibited
“Drivers are periodically asked to take a photograph of themselves, which we match against their on-file identification to help make sure the right driver is behind the wheel.”
Source: Uber
Officers demanded ID from the man in the passenger seat.
“Produce it for me now!” one cop yelled in footage taken by Natasha in the backseat, per WSVN.
The man, who struggled to comply, was soon confronted about his Uber account.
“I can’t verify your account. Sounds like you’re operating on someone else’s account,” the officer said.
Authorities determined the driver was using a family member’s Uber account to pick up fares.
“What’s happening right now is illegal, okay?” a female officer told the couple.
The couple was left stranded on the side of the road with their luggage[/caption]
When the couple complained to Uber, the company told them that their trip isn’t eligible for a refund[/caption]
The Broward Sheriff’s Office issued the man two citations and a trespass warning.
He’s also on the hook for a $2,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the couple was left stranded on the side of the road with their luggage.
“We’re standing there… just, in the middle of the street,” Natasha said, and they scrambled to find another ride to the pier.
But the nightmare didn’t end there.
When the couple complained to Uber, the company told them, “This trip isn’t eligible for a refund.”
Randy was stunned.
“If this doesn’t qualify for a refund, I’m gonna have you tell me what does,” he told WSVN.
Once the news outlet reached out to Uber for comment, the couple said they got their money back later that same day.
But for Natasha, it wasn’t about the refund.
“It has to do with the safety of passengers. What if it’s a young kid that’s Ubering someplace?” she said.
They’re now urging the company to do more to stop bogus drivers from slipping through.
Per Uber’s safety policy, the rideshare app is “committed” to the safety of its passengers.
Uber drivers go through multi-step background checks and safety screenings, “including being checked for impaired driving and violent offenses,” according to the company.
They had flown in from Georgia for their vacation and booked an Uber from their hotel to the terminal[/caption]
The switch-up drew attention from police at the checkpoint (stock image)[/caption]
