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Woman Tweets Story Of How Checking An Uber Driver’s License Plate Saved Her From Possibly Being Trafficked
These days, the importance of personal safety cannot be stressed enough. Even if you’re not out of your element, traveling around the world or the like, dangers lurk around every corner, so staying aware of your surroundings is key to staying safe.
A woman online has not too long ago shared a story that serves as a great reminder on just how aware you ought to be of things, especially if you’re waiting for your Uber.
More Info: Twitter
RELATED:
You can never be ‘too safe’ when you’re catching a ride with a taxi service
Image credits: Carl Mikoy (not the actual photo)
Solo travel blogger Ciara Johnson recently went to Twitter to share an incident that happened to her. One that could have ended badly if not for staying on top of things.
A car pulled up as she was waiting for her Uber to come over. The driver jumped out and hurriedly threw her suitcase in the trunk. Ciara was still waiting to see the license plate, confused as all heck as to what was happening. She finally noticed that it was, in fact, the wrong car.
Travel blogger Ciara Johnson recently shared how being aware of the license plate can save your from trouble
Image credits: hey_ciara
The driver ended up taking the luggage out, seemingly hoping it wasn’t the wrong car, and blurted out “I wish it wasn’t the wrong car.” Ciara then noticed that her actual Uber driver was behind her. She explained what had just happened, and he noted that this happens often—men drive around in hopes ladies won’t notice.
Once Ciara is seen talking to her actual driver, the man simply gets into his car and drives away, adding even more suspicion.
Ciara also shared some advice on how to stay safe when getting an Uber
Image credits: hey_ciara
Ciara took the opportunity to turn this into a life lesson for everyone: always check the license plate before entering the car, the driver should ask for a pin to confirm it’s the right client in their car, and if not, always ask for what your name is—the right driver should be able to answer that.
She also suggested comparing the profile photo, if your service supports that (some don’t), and also sharing your location with a friend for the duration of the journey (pst! if your taxi app doesn’t support that feature, you can always use the Location function onFacebook Messenger orGoogle Maps).
Image credits: hey_ciara
Lastly, another serious giveaway is if there’s another person in the car—a ‘boyfriend’ or whomever sharing the ride. Oh, and if applicable, “as my actual driver says, we’re in Texas, so carry your gun if you’re a woman that can,” said Ciara.
Ciara’s tweet soon drew significant attention, garnering over 17,300 likes and nearly 8,400 retweets. In response to this, people on Twitter started sharing their stories of how much people don’t pay attention to the cars they jump into, let alone the license plates.
Many shared their own ideas and stories in response to Ciara’s now viral Twitter thread
Image credits: Itjustdawndonme
Image credits: MRevelle
Image credits: hey_ciara
Image credits: itsbaejahjanae
Image credits: sakeem13
Image credits: __moonvibes
Others shared how this happened to them or their friends, and how they avoided the close call. And even one person explained how two other women managed to jump into their Uber and were pretty surprised and confused when the journey was confirmed without them actually being in the car.
Image credits: ccalexandre__
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Image credits: wifeynextdoor
Image credits: Harpowhodis777
Image credits: cupcakesquirrel
Image credits: regulardes
You can check out the entire Twitter thread in context here, and even check out Ciara’s tips on how to stay safe as a solo female traveler here. But before you go, tell us some of your ‘wrong driver’, close-call or general Uber advice in the comment section below!
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K Witmer 4 years ago
I think that one commenter is right. Wherever women can be in a dangerous situation w men there should be a choice of women only companies. Yes I know women can be dangerous too but I'm better able to fight a woman than I ever will be a man.
Mike Ward 4 years ago
but the problem was never Uber or her proper driver, it was a random person that was just waiting around for a victim. And as her story said, she had a woman driver attempt to pick her up with a man in the passenger seat, breaking the Uber rules already, so who is to say they would have followed some other Only Women Service's rules. Lastly, this advice about checking number plates and ID's are valid for men too.
Load More Replies...
G R 4 years ago
This is not how trafficking works. Yes, the man could easily have raped or killed her. But no, there are not armies of men kidnapping random middle class women off the street in order to... what? You think trafficked women are chained to a bed or something? Most trafficked women are trafficked for labour, not sex (eg to work as cleaners or in nail salons) and women who are sex trafficked are either groomed or threatened (eg with being deported) to get them to go along with it. If someone grabs a woman off the street he's certainly not a trafficked, just an old fashioned rapist or murderer.
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 4 years ago
Thank you! That being said there have been several disturbing cases where women have been kidnapped and murdered by fake Uber drivers.
Load More Replies...
Gerard Neaux 4 years ago (edited)
How can one NOT check the license plate before getting into the car? That's literally THE identifier of the car. If you get into a car of some make and color, you likely end up being an entitled ahole getting into some bystander's car because you assume the world spins around you and OF COURSE all the cars in proximity are there for your convenience. How is it normal to get into a car without confirming it's your ride?
Jovita A 4 years ago
Exactly, I was going to say similar thing. Like literally there is no other way to know it's your ride without confirming license plate..
Load More Replies...
Dave P 4 years ago
Always check the license plate, and make, model and color of car. I have gone to pick up friends and family only to have strangers get into my car and try to yank at my doors insisting I was their uber driver (I dont even have proper TLC plates) and yelling at them to get out. Just check before entering.
Eiram 4 years ago
I honestly never thought about this (didn't know the story was in the USA until the end) but the only time I used an Uber was in Vegas, and I stared at the location map to find them and texted the driver my location verification before ever getting in. Not sure if that was protocol or not but it allowed me to be absolutely sure I didn't load into the wrong car.
Imogene Cargeaux 4 years ago
When I first moved to Nola I saw all of the drunk college girls using Uber every weekend and it made me so anxious to think about how easy it would be for them to be taken advantage of. So I volunteered to be a free sober cab for women since I am a woman who does not drink. I can't tell you how many women I picked up who were so intoxicated that they didn't even know their own address. To be clear, I am NOT blaming the girls here. I'm just saying that I was relieved to know that they got into my car and not someone else's. I would love for there to be a womens only app for this very thing. I know women aren't innocent ppl. But it's far less common for a woman to sexually assault or traffic other women than it is a man to do so. It would take some chance away from something bad that could have happened. N to anyone saying this is discriminatory.... get f****d. Especially if you're not a woman. You will never understand what we go thru on a daily basis to keep ourselves safe.
Imogene Cargeaux 4 years ago
N this is just a small portion of things women deal with on a daily basis. So knock it off with the bullshit.
Load More Replies... Frank Ropen 4 years ago
In the past you were taught not to get into a car with strangers, today it's called Uber
KT 4 years ago
Oh lord this is stupid and over reacting. That other driver wasn't trying to abduct her good grief
K Witmer 4 years ago
Of course you'd gaslight bc you've never experienced that kind of fear. Typical
Load More Replies...
Summer Mason 4 years ago
I've only taken an uber one time my entire life in Portland Oregon. Turn that pin function on. My friend at work at the time taught me that. Thank God I did cause some random guy pulled up and asked if I was his customer but couldn't verify the pin. The next guy was able to and had an actual uber sticker on his car.
Michelle C 4 years ago
I just NEVER use ridesharing companies. Over the years there have been wayyyy to many horror stories.
Seedy Vine 4 years ago (edited)
Me neither. Taxis haven't been much better. One guy tried to take a detour with me one night until I threatened to jump out of his moving vehicle. Another guy use my debit card after the ride.
Load More Replies... K Witmer 4 years ago
I think that one commenter is right. Wherever women can be in a dangerous situation w men there should be a choice of women only companies. Yes I know women can be dangerous too but I'm better able to fight a woman than I ever will be a man.
Mike Ward 4 years ago
but the problem was never Uber or her proper driver, it was a random person that was just waiting around for a victim. And as her story said, she had a woman driver attempt to pick her up with a man in the passenger seat, breaking the Uber rules already, so who is to say they would have followed some other Only Women Service's rules. Lastly, this advice about checking number plates and ID's are valid for men too.
Load More Replies... G R 4 years ago
This is not how trafficking works. Yes, the man could easily have raped or killed her. But no, there are not armies of men kidnapping random middle class women off the street in order to... what? You think trafficked women are chained to a bed or something? Most trafficked women are trafficked for labour, not sex (eg to work as cleaners or in nail salons) and women who are sex trafficked are either groomed or threatened (eg with being deported) to get them to go along with it. If someone grabs a woman off the street he's certainly not a trafficked, just an old fashioned rapist or murderer.
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 4 years ago
Thank you! That being said there have been several disturbing cases where women have been kidnapped and murdered by fake Uber drivers.
Load More Replies... Gerard Neaux 4 years ago (edited)
How can one NOT check the license plate before getting into the car? That's literally THE identifier of the car. If you get into a car of some make and color, you likely end up being an entitled ahole getting into some bystander's car because you assume the world spins around you and OF COURSE all the cars in proximity are there for your convenience. How is it normal to get into a car without confirming it's your ride?
Jovita A 4 years ago
Exactly, I was going to say similar thing. Like literally there is no other way to know it's your ride without confirming license plate..
Load More Replies... Dave P 4 years ago
Always check the license plate, and make, model and color of car. I have gone to pick up friends and family only to have strangers get into my car and try to yank at my doors insisting I was their uber driver (I dont even have proper TLC plates) and yelling at them to get out. Just check before entering.
Eiram 4 years ago
I honestly never thought about this (didn't know the story was in the USA until the end) but the only time I used an Uber was in Vegas, and I stared at the location map to find them and texted the driver my location verification before ever getting in. Not sure if that was protocol or not but it allowed me to be absolutely sure I didn't load into the wrong car.
Imogene Cargeaux 4 years ago
When I first moved to Nola I saw all of the drunk college girls using Uber every weekend and it made me so anxious to think about how easy it would be for them to be taken advantage of. So I volunteered to be a free sober cab for women since I am a woman who does not drink. I can't tell you how many women I picked up who were so intoxicated that they didn't even know their own address. To be clear, I am NOT blaming the girls here. I'm just saying that I was relieved to know that they got into my car and not someone else's. I would love for there to be a womens only app for this very thing. I know women aren't innocent ppl. But it's far less common for a woman to sexually assault or traffic other women than it is a man to do so. It would take some chance away from something bad that could have happened. N to anyone saying this is discriminatory.... get f****d. Especially if you're not a woman. You will never understand what we go thru on a daily basis to keep ourselves safe.
Imogene Cargeaux 4 years ago
N this is just a small portion of things women deal with on a daily basis. So knock it off with the bullshit.
Load More Replies... Frank Ropen 4 years ago
In the past you were taught not to get into a car with strangers, today it's called Uber
KT 4 years ago
Oh lord this is stupid and over reacting. That other driver wasn't trying to abduct her good grief
K Witmer 4 years ago
Of course you'd gaslight bc you've never experienced that kind of fear. Typical
Load More Replies... Summer Mason 4 years ago
I've only taken an uber one time my entire life in Portland Oregon. Turn that pin function on. My friend at work at the time taught me that. Thank God I did cause some random guy pulled up and asked if I was his customer but couldn't verify the pin. The next guy was able to and had an actual uber sticker on his car.
Michelle C 4 years ago
I just NEVER use ridesharing companies. Over the years there have been wayyyy to many horror stories.
Seedy Vine 4 years ago (edited)
Me neither. Taxis haven't been much better. One guy tried to take a detour with me one night until I threatened to jump out of his moving vehicle. Another guy use my debit card after the ride.
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