Expert provides safety tips while using ride-sharing services

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (FOX 29) - The death of Samantha Josephson has a lot of people thinking twice before hopping into the back of a car. Cabs are always clearly marked, whereas a ride-share could be, literally, any car out on the road. How can a person protect themselves?

The haunting image of Sammy leaving a bar, getting into what she thought was the Uber she called. Friends posted this surveillance video on Facebook hoping to find her.

"You did everything right except this one time. It wasn't right. You didn't know if it was right. You rusted," said Michael Smith, a ride-sharing customer.

Avid ride-sharing customers Michael and Melo Smith enjoy a nightcap with former Uber driver Jason Pollock at a local eatery and pub in historic downtown Mount Holly.

Like so many parents of teenagers, they worry a bit.

"I'm constantly, 'Watch everybody around you. Stay where you are. Like, know where we are, know where you are.' You have to be aware of your surroundings," said Melo Smith.

"The reward outweighs the risk in any of those apps," stated Corey Jones, with Safetyman Security Consulting.

Jones says it's still safer to take a ride than drive after a night of partying. But, always pay better attention.

"Take just two or three seconds before you get into that car. Look at the driver, look at the car. Look at the license. Share your ride with a button right on the app. And, pretend you're on the phone and say the driver's name. Make him or her think that you're on the phone with somebody else," Jones explained.

Jason says his riders often told him they had screenshotted him and had friends following their trip on GPS.

"You didn't mind that, did you?" asked FOX 29's Joyce Evans.
"No, I understand. I would probably do the same thing if I thought of it. You don't know whose car you're getting into," Pollock replied.