Liverpool, UK – A Liverpool-based Uber driver, known online as Driver Matty, has come forward with claims that Uber threatened to deactivate his account, accusing him of fraud after following a passenger’s request for a faster, albeit longer, route.
According to Driver Matty, the incident occurred when a Uber customer, whose car had broken down, booked a ride and requested a faster alternative to the usual congested route through Childwall. The passenger, running late for work, specifically asked to take the motorway, even though it meant doubling the mileage and increasing the fare.
Before proceeding, Driver Matty confirmed with the passenger that the alternative route would cost more, ensuring they were aware of the price increase. Despite this, the passenger insisted, explaining that Childwall was consistently slow and busy at that time of day. After the trip, the passenger even left a tip, thanking Driver Matty for the excellent service.
However, shortly after the ride, Uber issued an automated warning accusing Driver Matty of fraud and intentionally taking an unnecessarily long route to increase the fare. The message stated that if a similar incident occurred again, he would face account deactivation.
No Chance to Defend Himself
Despite the passenger’s explicit request and full awareness of the increased cost, Uber did not reach out to Driver Matty for clarification or to hear his side of the story. Instead, he received a generic, automated warning with no opportunity to appeal or explain the situation.
“I did everything by the book,” Driver Matty said. “I confirmed with the passenger before taking the route, and they tipped me for the great service. But instead of listening to my side, Uber just sent an automated threat of deactivation. How is that fair?”
Drivers Speak Out Against Uber’s Automated System
Many Uber drivers have shared similar experiences, claiming that Uber’s automated fraud detection system unfairly punishes them without proper investigation. Drivers argue that the lack of human oversight in handling complaints leaves them vulnerable to wrongful deactivations, often over misunderstandings or passenger preferences.
“This just shows how little Uber cares about drivers,” Driver Matty continued. “We have no way to defend ourselves, even when we follow the passenger’s request. One more automated warning like this, and I could lose my job overnight.”
🎥 Driver Matty has shared his full story on YouTube, where he continues to document the realities of being an Uber driver in the UK.
