From Attorney General Karl Racine:

“DC residents: My office is investigating recent phishing scams that appear to be connected to the use of Uber. Read More

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve heard rumors that this has begun happening to others as well.

On Saturday, 11/13 I was out at lunch with a few friends in Adams Morgan. Around 3pm I called an Uber, as I’ve done dozens of times in DC and across the country. I was going to another friend’s surprise birthday party and running very late. Uber promptly connected me to a driver that was 3 minutes away and I thought ‘great that’s convenient maybe I’ll make this party on time!’ After waiting a few minutes, I checked my Uber app and I saw that I had a message from the driver requesting my phone number. I gave it to him, not thinking that it was odd the driver was not calling me through the app as usual. Read More

“Dear PoPville,

On Saturday night I was out with a friend in Logan Circle when I used the Uber app to select an UberX to come take me home around 10:20 PM. I was connected with a driver pretty quickly, but she messaged me in the app saying that the map would not show her moving until I gave her my phone number–that there was “an update to the app.” I had recently read about some other sketchiness in Uber on PoPville, so I didn’t respond as I was chatting with my friend about how I thought it was a scam. Read More

Speaking of October 31st, don’t forget about the free rides from Lyft. From WRAP:

“Preparing to combat that time of year when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41-percent of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers*, free Halloween Lyft rides will be offered to deter impaired driving throughout the Washington-metropolitan area, beginning Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the Halloween SoberRide® program will be in operation beginning at 10:00 p.m. Saturday, October 30 until 4:00 a.m. on Sunday October 31, 2021 as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday. Read More

Thanks to Jenna (and others) for passing on from Free2Move:

“As you are aware, as part of our Car Sharing service Free2Move offers all members both residential parking and metered parking at no cost to you. Over the past few months we have been working with the City of Arlington to renew our permits to operate in Arlington. Unfortunately, we have not been able to renew the permit and we were notified today by the City of Arlington to cease our operations in the area. Read More

“Dear PoPville,

I’m in the midst of a weird situation with Uber – wanted to alert others/see if this has happened to anyone else. Called an Uber this morning in DC, driver texted through the app and said he needed a pin/passcode that would be texted to start the ride. I had heard about Uber’s new safety pin feature- got the text, shared the pin. Then, the driver messaged back and apologized and said he needed the pin that got sent to my email b/c the first one expired.

I went into my email, got the pin. Then, we noticed the driver was not moving, so we messaged him back. No answer. Then we called the number in the app. Disconnected. Cancelled ride several times. Driver repeatedly accepted again (same driver). Then, I got kicked out of the app. Logged in, could not change it. My phone number was changed to a foreign number. Tried to reset password via the website, and lo and behold I cannot because the driver activated two step verification on my account, and all the notifications go to him. Read More

From the office of the DC Attorney General:

“Today, Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced that Getaround, Inc., a car sharing company that operates in numerous cities throughout the United States will be required to pay $950,000 to the District; restitution to car owners that experienced theft or damage to their vehicles while listed on the platform; and revise its business practices after allegedly misrepresenting the benefits and nature of its car sharing services, operating without a license in the District, and failing to pay District sales tax. Read More

Photo by C JRCook

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if anyone knows what’s been going on with Uber and Lyft wait times and the prices lately?

A ride that usually would cost me $8 and 12 minutes is $28 and 30 minutes. Last night I gave up and took a taxi for the first time in ages for $10.”

“Dear PoPville,

Has anyone ever had any luck reversing/getting a refund on Uber toll fees on an Uber or Lyft ride from DC to our area?

I recently rode with an Uber driver who did not have an EZPass and chose to take I-66 instead of the toll road which added significant time to the trip. I checked my reciept and was still charged for the toll.

The EZPass is available at no extra cost to Uber drivers and I suppose I’ll be asking or looking for one whenever I board an Uber…”

“Dear PoPville,

I just had the worst experience with an uber (Thursday night). I requested an Uber XL to pick me up from a baan siam and drop me home. The uber arrived opened the the trunk of his car. I asked him to flip down the back seat so we could get my wheelchair in. The driver said okay, got in his car and drove away canceling the trip. Read More