Kevin Smith's Daughter Recounts 'Very, Very Scary' Encounter With Fake Uber Drivers
— -- The daughter of director and actor Kevin Smith told ABC News how she was nearly abducted by two men posing as drivers for ride-sharing service Uber.
Harley Quinn Smith, 16, says she ordered an Uber car last week to pick her up at a Starbucks in the Los Angeles area. When the car arrived, Harley, an actress, said she knew something was suspicious.
“The second I started talking to them, I realized they were definitely not Uber drivers," she said. "They had just printed out the Uber symbol and put it at the front of their car."
“It was very, very scary,” Harley added.
Smith, the director of cult classics "Clerks" and "Mallrats," took to social media to warn about his daughter's experience.
Harley also took to Instagram to share her experience, writing, in part, "Protect yourself and never ever get in a car without checking that it's the correct car first!!! I was in too much haze of fear that I wasn't thinking straight enough to think to take a picture of the drivers or the license plate, but if you see a car like this PLEASE report it to the police and stop them from trying to pray on other young girls!!! We have already reported it to the police, but more information would be helpful in finding them. Be careful and look out for yourself/others!!!!"
The Los Angeles Police Department told ABC News there is no investigation into the incident because no crime was committed.
“LAPD encourages everyone to be cautious when ordering Uber and to verify that the Uber driver assigned is the individual picking you up," said Officer Tony Im. "If they look suspicious, report them to the police. If the Uber sign looks fake, or if more than one person is in the vehicle, be cautious about entering that vehicle."
"Harley Quinn Smith did the right thing by trusting her instincts and not getting into the vehicle," he said.
Uber did not comment specifically on Smith's claim but issued a statement to ABC News on the company's safety measures.
"All Uber riders see right away the make and model of the car picking them up, as well as the name of the driver, his or her star rating, and the license plate of the car," the statement read. "Drivers also see their rider's name and rating as soon as they are connected and both rider and driver use this information to ensure the right rider is getting in the right car."
"More generally, the core technology elements of how Uber works are intended to keep riders and drivers safe before, during, and after the ride in ways that were never possible in for-hire transportation before."
Harley says she took another Uber after the scary experience.
"I proceeded to take an Uber because you can't let things like that stop you from living your life," she said.
