Who comes up with this shit

No description of the car, driver, or plate, despite all of those things being on the app. No link to an article. No phone number or town for the police.

It's horrifying all right.

The whole concept of “ride-sharing” these tech platforms is one of the most deplorable, problematic ideas/realities capitalism has ever hit us with. It’s awful for all involved in the process except for the billionaire tech Bros who own these companies. Years ago, it was common knowledge to never ever get into a vehicle with a stranger. Now folks not only get into a vehicle with a stranger, they give the stranger a location device as to where they are, and where they live and are staying. It’s insanity. The stories at the Jersey Shore in the summer about college bar hoppers having incidents with Uber and Lyft drivers get worse every year. (As well there are honest good hearted drivers being assaulted by passengers). I know in some parts of NJ calling a taxi or taxi van business is not easy. At least at the Shore area, there are countless taxi van companies that have fleets of vehicles with experienced locals who have worked for these companies for years.

I don’t use Lyft or Uber unless it’s my only option and I can count all of my rides on one hand. You can use the service without having to give all of your info. I’ve never given my home address and got picked up and dropped off close enough to walk but far enough that the driver is gone by the time I get to my house. Precise location access isn’t required so I keep that turned off. You’re given a pic of the driver along with vehicle description prior to pick up so if anything doesn’t match when they arrive you shouldn’t get in the car. You can share your location with family or friends and they can literally watch you’re every move going from point A to point B. Im still weirded out about the idea but these added features do help in trying to keep both riders and drivers safe.

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Toyota Prius from CT with license plate AY72981. The driver’s name is Rafael.

This was legitimately my first post to Reddit and this group wouldn’t allow me to share the images. I thought sharing the story from a local mother was more important than anything else.

I hear ya. You’re doing everything possible and sensical to stay safe. At the same time, how deplorable is this ride-sharing industry that one would have to go through all these precautions for a ride? Hopefully many take the same approach you do when having no other options, but using Uber or Lyft.

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How is it different from a traditional taxi? The idea of getting into a car with a stranger is the same. The stranger knowing where you're staying is the same. Taxi drivers get assaulted and robbed all the time. I would think this is safer than a traditional taxi for driver and passenger because it ties them both to a real identity with the device. The victim can easily show police who was the driver or passenger. They can share that same info on social media, like they did here. The real benefit of using a taxi instead, is supporting a local company instead of an exploitive corporation.

I can only speak of using a taxi van company at the Jersey Shore -specifically coastal Monmouth and Ocean counties. The local taxi companies are comprised of employees that are local, that know the areas quite well. They are held responsible by company owners that have actual phone numbers with actual dispatchers you can call at anytime if there is a problem. These are companies that are endorsed by local police departments and borough councils. They build relationships with the towns. Regular customers of these companies get to know the drivers’ faces and have the choice to use another van or even other company with many options. Most taxi vans accommodate larger groups. In terms of traffic safety, it makes much more sense for your group of 10 people to use a company with 12 and 15-passenger vans than the classic “stuff 10 people in a Honda Accord” stunt. I can go on and on here about how and why using a taxi van company makes so much more sense than Lyft and Uber, but I’m assuming you get the point. Safer. Safer. Far more sensical.

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I can see where that works in smaller communities most of the year. I assume (and I stress assume) in the shore communities they have to hire temporary seasonal employees that would change year to year just like most industries there. They wouldn't keep the same employee numbers in January that they would in July.

You are mostly correct. These companies do run year round and in the fall-winter-spring (pre-MDW) usually bring people to airports, weddings, concerts, Giants-Jets-Yankees-Mets, etc games). The staff doubles from MDW to LDW. But, These “seasonal drivers” have been driving for these companies for years upon years. It’s actually very hard to get this summer job because many of the companies have longtime veteran working staffs. You’ll find a lot of the summer drivers are teachers from the local Jersey Shore school districts simply working a side-hustle to support their own children. These are mature adults who have so much to lose if they were to pull some of the things that some Uber and Lyft drivers do (not saying all Uber and Lyft drivers are bad). Bottom line: when you use a taxi van company you are getting accountability, safety, and local knowledge. And oh yeah… no price gouging or random “surges” the ride share tech Bros pull off.

You thought wrong.

If you own a house your address is google-able now a days. It’s public record.

That is horrifying, poor kid. I have never used a ride-share because I'm too scared of possibilities like this but I also don't live in an area in which it's necessary.

I used to rely on taxi services when I was younger and living in a small city in NJ, because we didn’t own a car. You are absolutely correct about the difference between an Uber/Lyft and a taxi service. The taxi service needs to have proper approvals and licenses from the municipal government in order to establish a business. Their employees also need to be on the books and background checked with good driving history. When I relied on taxi services I knew most of the drivers that picked me up and I never felt unsafe. The dispatcher even knew our names. When I visit my old hood I still see a couple retired drivers because they lived where they worked.

There’s a reason cities do not want Uber/Lyft operating within their jurisdiction. Drivers are not background checked, drivers are also exploited by these companies and the gig economy which is complete bullshit.

I have told my neighbor to stop letting his teenage daughter take an Uber home, especially since I work in town and have the flexibility to pick up my kids, I could pick his up as well without any burden. I still see her coming in and out of the Uber and it terrifies me.

You didn't do anything wrong. Don't listen to these asshole haters.

Thanks. The point wasn’t about justice or finding the bad guy, but about paying attention to your surroundings and actions of others.

I’m somewhat amused but the haters this morning. Must have a lot of free time to let something. Like this ruffle their feathers. Have a lovely weekend. 😉

What’s horrifying is the high and mighty attitude of people in this sub - regardless of the topic

Bullshit.

And again, just to be clear here… in my other comments I am not trying to say that ALL Uber and Lyft drivers are horrible humans. Majority of them are honest hard working folks trying to make ends meet in our brutal corrupted economic system in this country. And they also are victims of this horrible heartless gig economy where only the millionaires and billionaires who run the industry prosper. Doordash and the like are just as awful to the workers.

The entire ride share industry needs to be abolished. I’m not holding my breath on that ever happening.

Well, what are you trying to share?

If it is to be on the lookout for a rapist, then having the description of the rapist would be important.

Beyond that, it just feels like a random story meant to instill fear rather than do anything. At least for Uber, you can call for help in the app or just call 911 if shit is going sideways like this.

Completely fair and valid points. I originally attached images but it said this group didn’t allow them. Probably user error. Personally I believe it is best that the police handle the “lookout” component since they have the vehicle, name, and I’m sure tracking of the accused. However I was thinking along the terms of how I rarely pay attention in the back seat of a car service vehicle. I putz on my phone and keep my head down. Perhaps we’d all be better off if we were a little less trusting and a little more cautious. And if that can help one person in the future I’ll gladly take all the negative comments and BS from keyboard warriors.

If this is true, why is there no news story about it? A quick Google search turns up nothing. If you want to get the word out, the best venue is a news outlet like NJ.com.

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Not everything is always on the news.

What’s a Lyft? Is it Uber?

I hope the child is ok if this is true. Good news is, the police have his license info which will give them everything they need to get them. Also, if true, I believe they the drivers for comaines have to give GPS access either through the app or other methods. Not 100% on that but a quick search confirmed they do have to share that. Thus, if true, should be a fairly easy case to prosecute as they will be able to see everytbing theyd need for a timeline...Also, all those saying rideshare needs to go, I've had far more sketchy drivers in taxis than with rideshares. Far.mkre aggressive drivers taxis are imo. Im not from a small area so i dont ever know my taxi drivets or get the same ones. Everyone saying they take precautions with ride shares im not sure taxis are too different. All thise same precautions should be taken with taxis just like rideshares imo. But to each their own.

omg I'm so sorry, how scary

Yes similar ride share service.

Ridiculous post. Stop living in fear.

Otoh, I've used Lyft & Uber on multiple occasions and would recommend them over a taxi every day of the week. Anywhere you are, you should be aware of your surroundings

This sounds odd!

An 18 year old is an adult legally... He couldn't fight this off or get away? Everyone stop and think about this for a minute.

This story needs specific details and validation.

It’s not always a simple as ‘getting away’.

You don’t know if this person was armed or the situation at hand

Username checks out.

Yup. Another cabbie making up more nonsense

No info despite it being a very traceable app, no story.

You have no idea….puke

Only shitty cabbies actually believe this nonsense dude. If you ever order a can they have just as much info.

Ah so confirmed a cabbie whose bad service is running them outta a job

Ah sweet now we gonna dox people

I never use Uber or Lyft when I'm alone. Only when I'm with my husband or friends. If this story is factual, my heart goes out to the victim, and I hope this criminal is caught before he hurts someone else.

Everyone should report every dumbass posting personal information just because some random new account said so.

What the fuck Reddit. Lynch mobs because of an anonymous account lol

They do not always make the news. You’d be surprised the amount of things that go unreported that you would think would be big news.

If you do not feel is is safe to fight or run the body shuts down and goes into a freeze mode. Very often sexual assault victims do not feel safe doing this so instead disassociate as best they can.

You’re perpetuating victim blaming bs that greatly hurts sexual assault and rape victims.

If someone has taken me in their car to a secluded location to rape me I’m not going to fight back in fear of being killed.

This the most Karen comment I've ever read. I'm way more scared getting into some beat up taxi than a modern Uber/Lyft with a digital location record and location sharing and driver's name. How about you stop worrying about your neighbor's parenting decisions. I know I'd be annoyed if I couldn't even see my daughter come home every day without someone yelling from across the street about how bad a parent I am.

So you want to make me pay $30 extra every time I need to go to the airport for a WORSE experience? Not happening.

I've literally never seen this opposition to Uber and Lyft before. It's taxis that are sketchy as fuck. A lot of these people are living in a world of 30 years ago that doesn't exist now.

The sharing of the license plate without anything to validate this incident occurred or even that the police are actively looking etc - VERY concerning. How do we know this isn't someone being stalked? Or someone wanting to essentially dox someone to get some kind of revenge/encourage harassment? It's one thing to warn of the situation as a possibility and another to give people the means to harass someone that we don't know actually did something.

Update: 1/31/22

Reddit Admin removed my post details due to showing personal information. I had a link to an image of the Lyft profile for the driver.

The Facebook post that OP copied the text from was removed from the private Facebook group the next day. It was also posted anonymously. I can find no further mention of this incident, and believe this was likely to be a fake.