Thought this was obvious. I'd rather pax think I'm broke, driving for base rates and still get tips and surges as opposed to them thinking I'm generating above national average income...Pax are telling me, "I met this Uber driver who said he makes $2k a week on UberX, if that's true, I'm thinking of sign up."
I don't know if he was kidding or not, but whoever is boasting their earnings to pax, just know you're doing exactly what Uber's marketing team wants you to do. That $500 refer all bonus seems awful enticing when you have someone eager to try Ubering. All you're doing is creating more competion for yourself.