White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong is advising caution when traveling using Uber or other ride-sharing companies.

The caution comes after an Uber driver was charged with kidnapping and assaulting a White Plains woman who fell asleep while getting a ride home.

"If you suspect anything shady or you don't like that driver, you have every right to get out of that car and walk away,” says Chong.

While Chong says that the most recent incident was isolated, he says riders who use apps like Uber and Lyft must stay vigilant.

"Let someone know when you're taking the car, what time you're expected home, who the driver is. It's a quick text,” he says.

Uber has some safety tips of its own posted on its website.  It includes sharing your trip with friends, making sure you're getting in the right car, always riding in the back seat for some personal space and trusting your instincts as to whether or not you should trust the person picking you up.

When it comes to background checks, Commissioner Chong says the state licenses Uber to look into drivers before hiring them.

Uber claims it does both motor vehicle and criminal background checks on all their drivers and sometimes even randomly reruns those background checks.

Commissioner Chong says it's important to be smart to stay safe and remember that they are getting into a stranger’s car.

Uber has released additional information about Raising the Bar on Safety and Getting Serious About Safety.