Overcharged by Uber? How to dispute unexplained charges & fraud

Surprise charges from Uber are one of the most common issues we see in the comments on our article about how to contact Uber customer service.

Here are a few issues that we see all the time:

• Why did I get charged twice by Uber?
• I didn’t sign up for Uber One, but I’m getting charged for it
• My card is being used for Uber rides I never ordered
• Uber took money out of my account and never showed up to pick us up!

It’s upsetting when you get a surprise charge, and it can be difficult to contact Uber.

So when you see an unexpected charge from Uber, your first step is to see if the charge was legitimate or illegitimate.

If you think Uber made a mistake, you can use the customer service features in the app and online to request a refund.

If you think the charge was due to fraud, it’s best to contact your card holder first, then contact Uber.

If you take the appropriate steps, there’s a good chance that an improper charge will be removed!

How to report surprise charges from Uber

The pages below are the best way to get help directly from Uber to report an unexplained charge, a double charge, or if you suspect fraud on your account.

• I was charged for a ride I didn’t take
• I have an extra trip charge – Check for temporary charges
• I was charged more than once for this trip – Report double charges
• My account has a charge from someone else – Report fraud

Uber app instructions

You can also report issues with a charge by going to the ride receipt that is associated with the charge.

In the Uber app, go to Account > Trips > Select the trip > Scroll to Help section and Select Get Trip Help

Real charges that might look suspicious

Your first instinct might be to suspect that a surprise charge is fraud or a mistake by Uber.

But there are many different legitimate charges that could explain your issue.

Duplicate charge? It might be a temporary authorization hold

If you see a duplicate charge following a recent ride, it’s most likely a temporary authorization hold.

Uber places a hold when you request a ride in the amount of the upfront or estimated fare price. It’s a security measure to prevent fraud.

Uber voids the temporary hold after completing your trip, but the charge might remain ‘pending’ for up to 3–5 business days. The length of time depends on your bank.

If you see a duplicate charge, wait a few days to see if it goes away.

If it a duplicate charge doesn’t go away after 3–5 days, visit this page: I was charged more than once for a ride.

Surprise subscription charges from Uber One & Uber Cash

It’s possible that you don’t remember authorizing a few different types of recurring charges.

Uber One: Uber One is a $9.99 monthly subscription that gives you discounts on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. Subscriptions renew automatically. If you see a charge for $9.99, it’s likely for Uber One.

Uber cash: A way to add funds to your Uber account. There is an auto-refill feature. Uber cash deposits are $25, $50, or $100. Check your Wallet in the Uber app to see if you have Uber Cash auto-refill turned on.

Family or friend took a ride

It’s common for family members and friends to share a payment method or share access to one Uber account.

If you find a surprise charge, first ask the people who have access to your account to see if they took the ride.

Uber fees

There are several fees from Uber that might show up as a surprise charge to your account.

Cancellation fees: Range from $3–$10. Uber charges a cancellation fee if you cancel more than 2 minutes after you have match with a driver or if your driver cancels after waiting for more than 5 minutes at your location. Have your cancellation fee reviewed here.

Cleaning fees: If you leave a mess or damage a driver’s car, Uber may charge a fee. Cleaning fees typically are charged in the amounts of $20, $40, $80, $150. Have your cleaning fee reviewed here.

More Detail: How to Avoid the Cancellation Fee, Cleaning Fee, and More

What to do about illegitimate charges, fraud, and suspicious account activity

If your charges don’t fall under any legitimate reasons, they might be a mistake by Uber, or fraud.

Watch out for these suspicious activities:

• Receipts for trips that you don’t recognize
• Account info updating without your input
• Calls or texts from uber drivers about a pickup when you didn’t request a trip

If any of the above applies to you, use one of the contact pages at help.uber.com to report the issue.

Suspect fraud? Contact your cardholder first

Contact your cardholder if you suspect that your credit or debit card was compromised and used for Uber.

Someone may have stolen your card information, and your first step is to secure your card from further fraud.

Start by notifying your cardholder of the issue. Stopping fraud is a more critical first step than letting Uber know about the fraud.

Most cards offer fraud protection along with 24/7 customer service.

Uber is much harder to reach, and you’ll get better results by contacting your cardholder first.

After you contact your cardholder, try to report the issue to Uber using one of the above help pages.

If you suspect your Uber account is compromised, change your password.

Will you get a refund from Uber? What to expect

If a charge is illegitimate, there’s a good chance that it will be reversed.

If you use the correct forms and provide precise info, Uber typically has enough information on their end to see if a charge was incorrect.

You always have the option to request a chargeback if you’re not getting results from Uber.

If you believe a charge was illegitimate and Uber hasn’t refunded you after more than a week of trying, try initiating a chargeback with your cardholder or bank.

Related Uber Topics

• How to Save on Uber As an Existing User
• Payment Methods You Can Use for Uber
• How Much Does Uber Cost? Get an Estimate