NEVER ENTER AN UBER, LYFT OR ANY CAR SERVICE WITHOUT ASKING THE DRIVER WHO HE OR SHE IS PICKING UP.

Don’t get too close to the car window. Keep a distance between you and the driver so you can’t get snatched. I usually open the back door to ask the question, “Who are you picking up?” Until he or she says my name, I do not get in.

For those of you who think I’m neurotic, let me tell you a story that my female friend in Miami shared with me.

A friend of hers woke up in Mount Sinai Hospital, Miami, a few weeks ago. His wallet, iPhone, and jewelry were gone. The last thing he remembers was waiting for an Uber. When the car pulled up, he jumped in. He doesn’t remember if he checked the license plate and type of model of the car like he always does. He just remembers the car was black. The driver offered him a cigarette. He may have thought it was pot, but I didn’t ask. I wanted to seem cool.

The next thing he knew he was in a hospital bed. He called my friend to pick him up. The hospital tested his blood and showed he had some sort of sleep drug in his system. The nurse told my friend this was the fourth incident like this for the day.

If that doesn’t scare the heck out of you, nothing will. I’m a heavy user of Lyft, and will continue my daily use of the car service. However, you can be sure that I will be taking extraordinary safety measures from now on.