The province says it is against government regulations for drivers of ride-sharing companies to pick up anyone who did not order and pay for the ride through an app or website.

That comes after Niall Hickey, co-owner of the Newfoundland Embassy in St. John’s, raised concerns about people posing as Uber drivers trying to pick people up from downtown.

The Department of Digital Government and Service NL says all ride-sharing companies must use an online application to deliver their service, and are not permitted to accept cash.

That means people who work for those companies are not allowed to approach potential customers roadside, or to pick up those who try to hail them on the street.

They say customers should always verify the identity of the driver before getting in, and ask the driver for their customer’s name to ensure they have the right vehicle.

Hickey encourages people to be vigilant, and recalls a situation in which he had to intervene last week.

He saw a patron leave the bar and get into a vehicle. He asked if that was her Uber, and she responded “no, but he said he can drive me home.” Hickey told the woman to get out of the car and gave the driver “a stern talking to.” He calls such situations “scary.”