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Journalism of Courage
Shreya Verma, a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is pleading for the return of her belongings after a Lyft driver allegedly left her stranded without her luggage.
Verma, who was en route to Logan International Airport for a flight to India, recounted the incident in which her driver abruptly cancelled the ride with all her belongings inside the car.
Verma’s ordeal began when she realised that she left her headphones at home a few minutes into the trip. Requesting the driver to turn back and wait, she hurriedly retrieved her headphones, only to find the driver and her belongings gone upon her return.
“I lost everything. Everything was in there,” Verma told NBC 10 Boston, detailing that two suitcases filled with valuables were in the trunk, along with a bag in the backseat containing crucial documents like her passport, visa, and work authorization.
The loss has left her unable to travel and reunite with her family in India, especially at a crucial time when her father is battling cancer.
Despite promptly contacting Lyft customer service and Cambridge police, Verma faces challenges in retrieving information about the driver. Lyft informed her that a subpoena is required for law enforcement to obtain the driver’s details, hindering the investigation.
Expressing her frustration, Verma took to LinkedIn, where her post was noticed by Lyft’s CEO who promptly apologised for the incident. Lyft also issued a statement to NBC 10 Boston, expressing regret for the stressful ordeal Verma is facing.
The firm told the news outlet that it is working to resolve the situation along with law enforcement authorities. The driver’s account has reportedly been suspended.
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The incident, shared on @nbc10boston’s Instagram channel, has garnered much support from internet users who expressed their concerns.
One user said, “They have all those details. They track everything. Shocking that nothing was done much sooner”. Another added, “I would never leave my stuff unattended for ever 15 seconds. Once you have been ripped off, you learn these sorts of things”.
Verma, facing the daunting task of replacing crucial documents that could take months, appeals directly to the driver: “If he sees this, I just really need my stuff back. Please. I am begging you. I am requesting it. I just really want to go home.”
A third wrote, “Awful Lyft driver, if she was taking long or whatever take her stuff and place it all on the front porch. Don’t just drive off with it”.
