Location: Greater San Salvador
Event:
Local police are reporting that a number of ride share service users have been the victim of robberies perpetrated by their drivers. The vehicle dispatched may match the ride share application’s description, but the driver may not be the person assigned to that vehicle. These incidents have occurred during late night and early morning hours in the highly populated Zona Rosa and Las Palmas neighborhoods. It is important to be vigilant when using ride share services.
Actions to Take (you should complete all of these):
Before entering the vehicle:
- Verify that the vehicle make, model, and license plate of the vehicle matches the one assigned to you (though the driver must also be verified);
- Ask the driver to identify himself or herself by name;
- Do not volunteer your name. Inquire who the driver is picking up, since the first name on your ride share service profile should appear in their app; and
- Ensure the person behind the wheel matches the photo of your assigned driver.
During your trip:
- Ride in the backseat of the vehicle;
- Share your trip details while en route by using any tracking/sharing features available;
- Use the buddy system when out at night;
- Follow your intuition and when in doubt do not enter the vehicle; and
- Contact the ride share service and the National Civil Police with reports of any suspicious incidents.
Assistance:
- El Salvador Emergency Line: Dial 911
- U.S. Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador Final Boulevard Santa Elena
Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad
Telephone: 503-2501-2999 (24 hour phone line)
ACSSANSAL@state.gov
https://sv.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 2020-501-4444 - El Salvador Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security update
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
