Key Takeaways
- Users can dispute charges through the Uber app, website, or by calling their support line.
- Uber may offer credits or refunds for disputed charges, and users can also dispute charges through their bank.
- Common reasons for disputes include unrecognized charges, being charged twice, or charged for a ride not taken.
- Uber offers a feature for passengers to verify their ride for added security and to prevent fraud.
Can You Dispute Uber Charges?
The good news is that you can dispute Uber charges. Uber makes it quite simple to dispute a charge on their service through the app, website, or over the phone.
There are several reasons you might find yourself needing to dispute your most recent Uber charge, including unrecognized charges or getting charged twice or for a ride you didn’t actually take.
The easiest way to dispute a charge is by using the Uber app.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
As a frequent Uber user, I have had my fair share of Uber charges that I have had to dispute.
I try to pay close attention specifically to inconsistencies between the upfront price and the final charge. I sometimes catch differences that can easily slip through the cracks, leading to overpayments with little resource.
While frustrating, it’s important to understand that things happen, and at the end of the day, Uber representatives will work hard to make it right.
If you can get past the wall of automated responses and actually talk to a live person, communicate the issue clearly, and above all, be kind. Nobody is going to help you if you’re rude.
How to Dispute an Uber Charge
Once you’ve confirmed that the charges on your Uber account aren’t legitimate, you can take steps to get the charges removed or corrected.
How to Dispute an Uber Charge Through the App
The simplest way to dispute an Uber charge is through the Uber app. With just a few taps, you can get your complaint submitted and on its way to being resolved.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open the Uber app on your phone.
- Tap the vertical lines in the top left and select “Your Trips.”
- Locate and select the trip you want to dispute.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen until you see “Help,” then tap to open the Help menu.
- Scroll until you find the “Review my fair or fees” option and select it.
- Select the reason you want to dispute the charge.
- Fill in any essential details, then click “Submit” to send it to Uber.
How to Dispute an Uber Charge Through the Website
If you don’t have your phone handy, you can log into the Uber website to dispute your charge. It’s just as quick, and you won’t have to wait until you have access to a phone.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Log in to the Uber website at https://www.uber.com.
- Click the “Help” option in the top right corner
- Locate the “Trip issues and questions” section. In the drop-down, select the trip you’re having an issue with.
- Click “Review my fare or fees.”
- When prompted, fill in the necessary details for your complaint.
- Submit your complaint to Uber.
How to Dispute an Uber Charge by Phone Call
Sometimes you might not be able to get your issue resolved online. If that’s the case, you’ll need to give Uber a call to talk with an Uber representative to get your complaint addressed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Uber has a 24-hour support line you can call if you need to chat with a real person.
Simply call 800-593-7069 to get assistance.
How to Dispute an Uber Charge Through Your Bank
If you’ve attempted to get your charge reversed through Uber but have reached an impasse, your next best option is to contact your bank or credit card company for a chargeback.
Some financial institutions will automatically reach out to you if they see a suspicious charge on your account, such as a charge in a foreign country.
That won’t always be the case, though, especially if the Uber charge seems normal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The steps to getting a charge reversed through your bank might vary from one bank to the next.
However, the process is essentially the same.
- Log into your bank or credit account.
- Locate the charge you want to dispute.
- Submit a dispute complaint to your financial institution.
Most banks will be able to help you get the charge dealt with. However, an automatic refund isn’t guaranteed.
Once you’ve submitted your complaint, one of three things will happen.
- Your bank will reverse the charge.
- Your bank will put a hold on the charge pending an investigation.
- Or, Uber will refund your account.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
It’s worth keeping in mind one important note about disputing with your bank.
In many cases, Uber has deactivated user accounts in response. So even if the dispute is valid, Uber might still classify it as fraud. This is a known issue, but you can contact an Uber representative to regain your account access.
Also be aware that refunds or fare adjustments often depend on various factors, such as customer history or location, and may be determined by algorithms.
Will You Get a Refund or Uber Credit?
When you request a refund, they’ll likely offer you Uber credits first. Then, the credit will be posted to your account to use for a future ride.
If you don’t want a credit on your account, whether because you won’t use it or you’d simply prefer to have your money back, you can contact Uber support for a proper refund.
Uber will have to take back the credit and return your money, but it’ll take a bit longer. Although it might take some legwork, you should be able to get your money back.
How Long Does It Take to Get Refunded for a Disputed Charge?
In most cases, if you’ve simply canceled your ride, you should get a refund almost immediately. Just be aware that you might be charged a cancellation fee.
However, if you disputed a charge or the ride was already complete, it could take up to 48 hours to get your refund, assuming Uber accepted your charge dispute.
In the case of disputing a charge with your bank, it could take longer, simply because the process of disputing with your financial institution takes longer.
1. Unrecognized Charge
Unrecognized charges on your account can be an annoyance. However, it’s important to distinguish between fraudulent and legitimate unrecognized charges if you want to avoid any major frustrations.
In some cases, Uber might charge you a temporary authorization hold that will show up on your credit card. Although the fee is likely temporary, you can still contact Uber to make sure they’ll remove it from your account.
Another unexpected charge might be a cancellation fee.
Uber’s standard practice is to charge a fee for any Uber ride you cancel. Depending on why you canceled your ride, you may be able to get a refund.
Or, if you share an account with friends or family, someone else could’ve taken a ride that you didn’t know about. It’s also possible you may have ordered a ride for someone else and simply forgotten.
Worst of all, it might be that you were charged for a ride you didn’t take. This is unlikely, but is known to happen from time to time.
2. Charged Twice
You might get charged twice during busy periods or simply by accident. Since you can only take a ride once, this type of charge will be a simple one to dispute.
However, as with unrecognized charges, be sure to confirm no one who shares your account took a ride without telling you.
3. Charged for a Ride You Didn’t Take
If you ordered an Uber, but it never showed up, someone else might’ve taken the ride you ordered, which would have resulted in you getting charged.
One way to prevent that from happening in the future is to use Uber’s Verify Your Ride feature. It’s also possible someone else could’ve been logged into your account when they ordered a ride.
So before reaching out to Uber, check with anyone who might have your login information.
What Is “Verify Your Ride?”
Have you always double-checked to make sure you were getting into the right rideshare vehicle? Doing so is good practice considering you’re essentially getting into a stranger’s car.
Although rideshare services have done a lot to make getting around town easier, there are always people who might try to take advantage.
Fortunately, Uber makes it easy to verify that you’re getting into the right vehicle with just the tap of a button. All you have to do is use Verify Your Ride. It’s an opt-in service that you can turn on and off as you please.
How Uber’s Verify Your Ride Feature Works
Verify Your Ride is an optional feature in the Uber app that allows you to get more peace of mind when using their service.
This Uber technology is easy to use, so you won’t have to worry about fussing with an unfamiliar service.
Once you’ve turned on Verify Your Ride, you’ll receive a PIN each time you request a ride through the Uber app. The PIN will let you confirm you’re getting into the right car.
How to Report Fraud to Uber
The Verify Your Ride feature will make it easier for you to spot and report fraud to Uber. Uber has a dedicated Critical Safety Response line drivers and passengers can use in case of emergency.
If a driver is doing something dangerous or there’s someone posing as a driver, attempting to pick up fares, you should call 800-353-8237 to reach someone who can address the issue right away.
Final Thoughts
Disputing a charge with Uber can be a simple process, as long as you know where to go. In most cases, you won’t have trouble getting your money back. If you need to dispute a charge, simply head over to the website or app to get started.
Please remove me from your automatic systems and the monthly charge to send to my bank account. I have retired and no longer wish to use Uber!!