A recent story uncovers the surge of fraudulent rideshare accounts flooding the industry. In Massachusetts, lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking bill that would grant unionization rights to rideshare drivers.
Meanwhile, a growing number of retirees are turning to Uber and Lyft to supplement their income. We break it all down for you.
Meet The Woman Responsible for Fake Accounts on Uber and Lyft

SOURCE – Wired
A new story on Wired chronicles Priscila Barbosa, a notorious rideshare fraudster and key player in a fraud ring involving thousands of fake accounts. Barbosa’s story underscores the need for enhanced security measures within rideshare companies to better protect legitimate drivers and preserve the integrity of their platforms.
- Barbosa arrived from Brazil to work in the gig economy, attracted by the fact that rideshare drivers in the U.S. can earn as much as lawyers in her home country.
- Unable to qualify for an Uber or Lyft account due to her tourist visa, she began renting and eventually fabricating driver accounts using stolen identities, becoming a central figure in a fraud network. Barbosa’s activities led to her arrest and imprisonment.
- Her operations allowed many undocumented immigrants to work but exposed flaws in the gig platforms’ background checks.
Massachusetts Voters to Determine Whether Rideshare Drivers Can Unionize

SOURCE – AP News
Massachusetts is considering a landmark ballot question to grant union rights to Uber and Lyft drivers. Despite a recent settlement guaranteeing $32.50 per hour as a minimum wage for drivers, supporters believe unionization will provide additional protections.
- The Service Employees International Union and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell back the initiative, arguing that gig workers deserve collective bargaining rights. However, critics argue the ballot question lacks democratic processes and comprehensive worker rights.
- Some drivers oppose the measure, claiming it doesn’t provide sufficient driver control over leadership and spending. Groups like Massachusetts Drivers United advocate for broader worker rights and a democratic union process for all app-based workers, pushing for legislation to grant full employee rights and unionization pathways.
Your take: What do you think, drivers? Do you think drivers would be better off unionized? Let us know what you think by replying directly to this email! We may feature your comments in a future issue of this newsletter!
Retirees Turn to Uber and Lyft to Supplement Insufficient Social Security Income

SOURCE – Business Insider
Many retirees are turning to Uber and Lyft to supplement their Social Security income, which often isn’t enough to cover their expenses. Could this influx of retirees be causing historic oversaturation on rideshare platforms?
- These older drivers value the flexibility of the gig economy, as it allows them to work around their health issues and appointments.
- The oversaturation of drivers has directly impacted the ability of these retirees to earn a living wage, with some struggling to make decent gross earnings per hour.
Uber Changing Service Fees, Lowering Rates in Certain Markets

SOURCE – Show Me The Money Club
On this week’s episode of Show Me The Money Club, Sergio and Chris discussed upcoming changes to Uber’s pricing structure, which will be effective starting August 12, 2024. The new rates will vary depending on the location and time of the trip but will ultimately lower rates.
- This means that different areas within a city may have different rates, and rates may also change based on the time of day or day of the week.
- Be sure to watch this week’s replay of SMTMC, and be sure to watch LIVE every Tuesday at 6PM ET/3PM PT for your chance to win prizes and interact with Sergio and Chris live.
What Irks Lead To Lower Passenger Ratings?

SOURCE – YouTube Shorts
At The Rideshare Guy, we usually make content geared toward rideshare drivers, but this week, we dished a little advice to passengers. Some social media users wonder why their rideshare drivers give them bad scores, and we offered some explanation in our latest YouTube Short.
QUICK HITS
This week, DoorDash said it would take steps to rein in account sharing and traffic law violations, starting with delivery couriers in Boston. – Axios
DoorDash and Uber are eagerly pushing for regulatory changes to Seattle’s contentious minimum wage law for food delivery drivers, which has been in effect since January. – GeekWire
In a new short posted this week, our very own Harry Campbell explains how rideshare drivers can avoid Uber and Lyft’s $2500 insurance deductible. – YouTube Shorts
Tesla’s plans to unveil a robotaxi service have been put on hold, which is giving Uber and Lyft stock a boost. – Investors Business Daily
Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content
Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:
- RSG257: Rideshare Insider’s Take on DiDi, Uber and InDrive in Latin America
- Uber Makes List Of Most Sustainable Companies… Is It Really?
- Five Lessons Uber Drivers Can Learn From Don Draper And Tony Soprano
- Getting Fake Uber Lyft & DoorDash Accounts On The Dark Web
- The Rideshare Guy en Español
- Make sure you Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future conversations and interviews!