Uber Identity Fraud Claims Raise New Safety Concerns for Riders
If you’ve ever hopped into an Uber thinking your driver has been fully vetted, a new investigation suggests it might not always be that simple.
A report from CBS News California Investigates is shining a light on a growing issue: alleged identity fraud tied to Uber driver accounts. According to the investigation, stolen identities may be used to create fake driver profiles—potentially allowing individuals to bypass background checks and operate on the platform under someone else’s name.
A Growing Concern Behind the Wheel
California leads the nation in rideshare drivers, with more than 800,000 on the road as of late 2025. But consumer advocates warn that among those drivers, some accounts may not belong to the people actually behind the wheel.
The issue first came to light when people across the country began receiving unexpected IRS Form 1099s—tax documents showing income earned from Uber… despite never signing up to drive.
That’s more than just a paperwork problem.
“That’s a public safety issue,” one identity theft victim said. “You never know who’s picking you up.”
Victims Speak Out
Several individuals reported receiving tax forms listing thousands of dollars in Uber earnings under their names.
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A couple in Woodland Hills was shocked to receive a 1099 showing nearly $7,000 in income over just two months.
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One woman reported $4,100 in earnings tied to her name.
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Another man said he received documents claiming $12,000 in Uber income—without ever driving.
After the story aired, dozens more people came forward with similar experiences.
Even more concerning? Many say getting help from Uber has been difficult.
Some victims reported uploading documents and filing fraud claims through the company’s website—only to receive little or no response.
Uber Responds
Uber declined to do an interview but released a statement saying it is actively investigating all fraud reports.
The company says:
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Fraudulent accounts are permanently banned when identified
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Corrected 1099 forms are issued showing $0 income
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These cases represent a “very small fraction” of total accounts
Uber also noted that the incidents appear consistent with broader identity theft trends, not a breach of its internal systems.
Bigger Questions About Safety
Still, the situation raises a critical concern: Can riders be sure their driver is who the app says they are?
Consumer rights attorney Todd Friedman, who filed a class-action lawsuit against Uber in 2024, says the volume of complaints is alarming. His office has reportedly received hundreds of calls from potential victims.
And the issue isn’t limited to California—similar reports have surfaced nationwide.
For many riders, that uncertainty hits close to home.
“To think there could be criminals driving us around… I thought it was legitimate,” said one concerned parent.
What You Can Do If You’re Affected
If you suspect your identity has been used fraudulently for an Uber account, here are some steps to take:
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Report the issue to the IRS
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File a fraud claim directly with Uber
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Submit a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
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File a police report
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Consider freezing your credit for added protection
The Bottom Line
While Uber maintains these cases are rare, the growing number of reports is raising real concerns about both identity theft and rider safety. For now, experts suggest riders take advantage of in-app safety features—like trip sharing, PIN verification, and audio recording—whenever possible.
Because as this investigation suggests, sometimes the name in the app might not tell the whole story.
Frank
Image Credit: @ChuckNorris Instagram
