Our modern world is more interconnected than ever before.
The advent of ridesharing apps like Uber has made the smartphone an indispensable means of interacting with the world around us.
But that interconnectedness has come with a cost.
Our information is everywhere. Despite efforts towards securing it, there seems to be a new hack or scam every day.
The Uber Code text scam is one of the seemingly endless parades of frauds that scammers use to try and take advantage of us.
In 2017, the last year on record, about one in 10 Americans fell victim to some sort of online scam, costing a total of $9.5 billion.
So, it’s crucial to stay aware of the threat posed by scammers and remain on the lookout for their attempts to steal your information.
Let’s unpack the details of this particular Uber Code text message scam together and see how we can avoid falling prey to it with a few simple tips and tricks.
Table Of Contents
What Is An Uber Code Text?
Uber uses various means to communicate through its platform, including texts, SMS, emails, and notifications.
Typically, Uber drivers and riders use the app to communicate about rides.
Sometimes, Uber sends an SMS message to an account holder to verify their identity.
An SMS message is, for all intents and purposes, just a short text message.
This sort of account verification should only occur in two situations.
If you log in to Uber from a new device or a new account, the security protocol on your Uber account will send a verification Uber Code to your phone in the form of an SMS text message.
Your Uber code itself is a four-digit code sent within the text.
Its purpose is to verify your account and maintain security.
This sort of validation is called two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
How Do I Use The Codes They Text Me?
To use a legitimate Uber Code Text, you enter the code you received via text into the Uber app or through your web browser.
The Uber Code text will always go to the phone number you used to set up the account.
Keep in mind that you might have trouble receiving the code if you do not have adequate cellular connectivity until your service improves.
Why Do I Keep Getting Texts From Uber?
Scammers have learned to mimic the Uber Code Text for nefarious purposes.
And they are pretty adept at doing so, making it challenging to know fakes from the real thing.
If you are receiving a lot of texts from Uber, and you haven’t changed your account or moved to a new device, it’s highly likely that someone else is sending the messages and is trying to scam you.
Authentic Uber Code texts or SMS messages from Uber are usually received right after performing an activity on your account.
If you’re getting a random text from an unknown number asking you to reply to an unknown number, don’t be fooled.
Typically, these impostor messages look like they’re from Uber.
Still, they often use numbers from 11- digit phone numbers, not the abbreviated 6- or 10-digit short code messages that Uber usually uses for SMS.
If you ever receive an Uber Code message that you have your doubts about, you should probably go with your gut and consider it spam.
Also, consider contacting Uber customer support right away.
How The Uber Code Text Scam Works
First, you receive a 4-digit code via SMS, a type of text message from an unknown number.
The message fraudulently claims to be from Uber, and even appears similarly.
They even remind you not to share the code and to ‘reply stop’ to opt-out.
Who is sending these codes to scam me?
Scammers who are attempting to steal your information generate these fictitious codes as part of attempts to steal the personal information of Uber users.
These sorts of scams are quite common, and the perpetrators are quite crafty in sending messages that look authentic.
How to Prevent Getting Scammed
It’s necessary to take a few precautions to prevent yourself from being scammed by an Uber Code text scam.
1. Delete the Message
Once you recognize an Uber Code as a phishing or scam text, you should delete it.
But, before doing so, use your phone to take a quick screenshot.
By capturing this image, you can show evidence of the scam if you need to get in touch with Uber support for assistance.
2. Never Reply ‘STOP’
Sometimes, getting you to reply ‘STOP’ is part of their scam.
Not only can doing so help scammers verify your number, but many of them also use premium rate phone numbers.
Replying can risk incurring hefty charges on your phone bill.
3. Block the Number the Codes Come From
After taking your screenshot, consider using your mobile phone’s features to block that particular number.
You can do this relatively quickly and easily on an Android or IOS phone.
This action will prevent that number from contacting you again in the future.
4. Report the fraud to Uber
Anytime you receive fraudulent messages from Uber, you should contact their customer service team.
These sorts of scams aren’t limited to Uber customers either.
Uber customers, Lyft drivers and customers, and Uber eat users are all in the crosshairs of these scammers.
By reporting suspicious activity to Uber support or other appropriate authorities, you can document the spam texts, which are likely attempts to capture your personal data or credit card number for illicit purposes.
This particular sort of scam is generally referred to as phishing.
Defined loosely as an attempt to trick a user into providing personal account details through some kind of deception, phishing is a common scam.
Some scams involve entire websites crafted to mimic legitimate sites, but their design is simply a trick to phish for your personal and protected info for use against you later.
Mishing is a particular type of phishing scam that utilizes text messaging.
With the popularity of text messaging, it’s no surprise that thieves are very active in trying to scam people through their texts.
Smishing is the same sort of thing, only instead of texts, they focus on SMS messages, like Uber Code texts.
Ways to Secure an Uber Account
If you have an Uber account, it is a good idea to set up two-factor identification.
That is the easiest way to secure your account beyond a simple username and password.
But, even that is not foolproof.
It’s no accident that scammers are spamming users with authentic-looking Uber Code texts, as they know people are motivated to secure their account and may react instinctively to such a message.
You can also install an app used to filter spam messages.
A quick search in your app store will reveal a few options.
It is a very good idea to always use a secure password that you change periodically.
This preventive measure can sometimes seem like a nuisance, but it is the easiest way to avoid being hacked.
Keeping your app up to date is also essential.
Uber pushes out updates that address security vulnerabilities as they are discovered.
By keeping your phone up to date, you take advantage of their countermeasures.
Failing to do so leaves the door open for scammers and others to infiltrate your device and account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not receiving a verification code from Uber?
If you’re not receiving your verification texts from Uber, you may have to take a few steps to remedy the issue.
First, it’s possible that your phone number is inaccurate on your account.
Just edit your phone number in the app, and then you can resend a code through the verification screen.
If you get two codes, use the newer one.
The old one becomes obsolete as soon as a new one goes out.
It’s also possible that your phone carrier, the company you obtain cellular service through, is blocking the shortcode SMS that Uber uses to send these codes.
In this case, you will likely have to contact your carrier for assistance.
Some carriers may allow you to change this setting through your account preferences.
When in doubt, the most basic troubleshooting is to turn off your device and then power it back on.
This power-cycling may reconnect your device to the network and enable you to receive the SMS you need.
Has Uber been hacked?
Unfortunately, yes. Uber was the victim of a hack in the past, and it could happen again despite their efforts to prevent it.
In 2017, millions of customers and drivers had their personal information compromised.
That information includes names, home addresses, mobile phone numbers, and emails.
Some Uber drivers even had their driving information breached.
Uber maintains that no credit card, social security, or banking information became compromised in this hack and that there was never a subsequent fraud as a result.
That is considered a dubious claim at best.
Is someone else using my Uber account?
If you have been successfully scammed or hacked, it is quite possible that someone is using your Uber account fraudulently.
Keep alert for any suspicious activity like:
- Trips or requests on your account which you didn’t make
phone calls or text messages from drivers about pickups that you did not request - Receipts for trips that you don’t recognize
- Account updates done without your knowledge
Uber also recommends that if you are still able to sign in to your account, that you attempt to reset your password.
You can also report the issue to Uber directly.
How do you stop getting texts from Uber?
If you want to stop receiving texts and SMS messages from Uber, you can simply reply ‘STOP’ to any legitimate message you receive.
But keep in mind that you may miss out on some marketing and promotional messaging as a result.
If you wish, you can re-subscribe at any time by replying “START” to the same message.
You can also unsubscribe from email messages if you prefer.
Wrapping Up
Scammers are out there, and they are always on the prowl trying to steal your personal information.
Smishing, phishing, spam email messages, and spam texts are the tools of their trade.
You can deprive them of the opportunity to steal your information by taking advantage of all the security enhancements available, like two-factor authentication and verification, and by staying alert for suspicious activity.
And remember, anytime you suspect fraud, contact customer service or the authorities.
