Fake Driver Accounts Lead to $12,000 Phantom 1099s, Uber Unresponsive
Uber has mailed IRS Form 1099s reporting up to $12,000 of phantom income to individuals who never drove after fraudsters used their identities to open fake driver accounts. Recipients say Uber fails to correct these errors, raising legal liability and risk as identity theft cases surged 61% to over 31,000 in 2025.
1. Phantom 1099 Forms Issued
Hundreds of individuals across the U.S. have received IRS Form 1099s from Uber reporting up to $12,000 in income they never earned, forcing them to dispute tax liabilities for phantom earnings.
2. Fraudster Methods
Fraudsters have exploited stolen personal information, such as Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses, to open fake Uber driver accounts and collect earnings under victims’ names.
3. Uber's Response and Risks
Victims report that Uber’s support channels have been unresponsive to correction requests, exposing the company to potential legal claims, regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.
4. Rising Identity Theft Trends
Data shows wage-related identity theft reports jumped 61% to over 31,000 cases in the first three quarters of 2025, underscoring a growing industry challenge that could spur regulatory action and increased compliance costs for Uber.