Key Takeways
- Spectrum News has confirmed a pattern of people receiving Uber 1099 forms despite never working for the company
- The FTC has logged 354 complaints related to erroneous Uber 1099s since 2020
- Attorney Todd Friedman is actively representing victims and has seen a sharp spike in new cases
- Victims may have legal rights under the FCRA, and resolution can take months without legal help
- If you received a 1099 from Uber you didn’t earn, you should act immediately
Todd Friedman Featured in Spectrum News Investigation Into Uber 1099 Identity Theft
On February 26, 2026, Spectrum News published an investigation into a disturbing and growing trend: people across the country are receiving 1099 tax forms from Uber—despite never having driven a single mile for the platform. Consumer protection attorney Todd M. Friedman was featured prominently in the report, drawing on years of experience representing victims of this exact type of identity fraud.
The story centers on a Los Angeles couple, Patrick and Cristina Lennon, who were blindsided when Cristina received not one, but two 1099 forms from Uber within days of each other—showing income she never earned. When they contacted Uber, the company confirmed it had “found signs of identity theft” and banned the responsible party. But for the Lennons, the damage was already done.
They are far from alone. Freedom of Information Act records obtained by Spectrum News revealed that the Federal Trade Commission has received 354 complaints since 2020 from people reporting the same problem. The FBI has urged anyone who believes they may be a victim to freeze their credit and file reports with both local police and the FTC.
“If you get a 1099 for $50,000 or over, that’s a game changer, so it’s a big deal. And that’s why people are receiving these 1099s, and they are freaking out.”
— Todd M. Friedman, Consumer Protection Attorney
The Case That Started It All — And the Flood That Followed
Todd Friedman has been investigating this issue for several years. His firm is currently representing a Kern County man who received a 1099 from Uber in 2019 indicating he had earned more than $53,000—income he never made. It took over a year just to get the IRS to waive the owed taxes, and the lawsuit is still pending. That case is emblematic of how serious and long-lasting the consequences of this type of identity theft can be.
Since the Spectrum News report began circulating, the volume of inquiries to the firm has surged dramatically.
“We are getting an influx of phone calls and emails from people who are now dealing with the same exact issue as our client, so it’s been quite a shock.”
— Todd M. Friedman, Consumer Protection Attorney
If you’ve received a 1099 from Uber that you didn’t earn, this is not a paperwork glitch to ignore. It may be a sign that someone has stolen your identity and used your Social Security Number to create a fraudulent driver account—leaving you on the hook for their earnings at tax time and potentially damaging your credit report in the process.
Schedule your free consultation today → Our team is actively taking calls from people dealing with this exact situation.
Why a Fraudulent 1099 Is More Than a Tax Problem
Many people assume a wrong 1099 is simply a clerical error that can be resolved between them and the IRS. But as we explained in detail in our recent post, Received a 1099-K From Uber But Never Worked There? Here’s What It Means, the downstream consequences can be severe and wide-reaching.
When someone uses your SSN to pass Uber’s background and identity checks, they’re not just filing a fraudulent tax document—they may also be opening accounts, accruing violations, and triggering credit inquiries in your name. That means the impact can show up directly on your credit report as:
- Fraudulent accounts opened under your identity
- Collections activity for fees or violations you never incurred
- Unauthorized hard inquiries from background check companies
- Address changes you never authorized
Each of these is a potential violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires that credit bureaus investigate disputes and remove inaccurate information. If they fail to do so, you have the right to pursue legal action—and potentially recover damages.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you received a 1099 from Uber or another gig platform and you never worked for them, here’s what our team recommends based on years of handling these cases:
- Contact Uber in writing and request a corrected 1099-K showing $0 income. Document every interaction.
- File IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) immediately to flag your tax account and protect against future filings made in your name.
- Pull all three credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for accounts, addresses, or inquiries you don’t recognize.
- Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent new fraudulent accounts from being opened.
- File a police report — many creditors require this as part of the dispute process, and it creates an official record of the theft.
- Consult a consumer protection attorney — especially if credit bureaus or platforms are not cooperating.
For a complete breakdown of your rights and step-by-step guidance, read our full resource: Received a 1099-K From Uber But Never Worked There? Here’s What It Means.
Your Legal Rights If This Happened to You
Victims of identity-driven 1099 fraud have meaningful legal options. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute inaccurate information, and credit bureaus are required to investigate within 30 days. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you cannot legally be pursued for debts you don’t owe. And if platforms or bureaus fail to respond appropriately, you may be entitled to sue for actual and statutory damages.
The Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C. represents consumers in these cases—often at no upfront cost. Todd Friedman has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 10 consecutive years and has helped clients recover nearly $1 billion in damages. The firm handles cases across California, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
If you believe your identity has been used to create a fraudulent Uber account, don’t wait. IRS identity theft cases can take 120 days or more to resolve, and the longer fraudulent accounts remain on your credit report, the greater the potential damage.
Did you receive a 1099 from Uber you didn’t earn?
You may have legal rights. Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.Get Your Free Consultation →
