These undercover cops pretend their phones don't work and try to hail a cash ride from unsuspecting Uber/Lyft drivers.

Now, the drivers definitely aren't encouraged to do this, as the app is essential to tracking payments for tax purposes, so we're not saying it's not a legit citation - but it's basically a crime they're *making* happen.

Many commenters on Reddit and YouTube (some of who are drivers themselves) have also pointed out that most drivers who'd take an unofficial ride would likely do it to help someone they thought was having genuine phone issues as opposed to some nefarious plot to cheat The Man out of 6% tax on a $20 ride.