[ 2015-05-25 ]

Hackers leave Uber users billed for fake cab rides
The FBI is investigating claims that British users
of Uber, the online taxi booking service, have had
money taken from their accounts fraudulently for
fictitious journeys often made abroad.
Among the victims is Anthea Turner, the former
Blue Peter presenter, who tweeted: “Account has
been hacked — nothing to help me on website.”
Another user said: “I woke up in London to find
it said I had taken a $260 (£170) ride in a
limousine in California. Because of the time lag
it had been ordered in the middle of the night
here. I didn’t receive the notification until I
looked at my phone in the morning.”
According to The Observer, Uber users’ accounts
have been sold on the dark net, a private network
of websites, encrypted and controlled anonymously,
that facilitates criminal activity.
It comes as pressure builds to restrict the growth
of Uber, which connects passengers with drivers
via a mobile app. Licensed taxi drivers are
angered by its unrestricted expansion, which they
say threatens their livelihoods.
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, is understood
to be pushing for legislation to be included in
the Queen’s Speech that would cap the number of
minicab licences in the capital.
Jo Bertram, the head of Uber’s UK business,
said: “We take any issue of this nature very
seriously and, after investigating, have found no
evidence of a breach at Uber. Attempting to access
and use Uber accounts fraudulently is illegal and
we notify the authorities about such activity.
Anyone who is charged for a trip they didn’t
book or take will get a refund.”
A spokesman for Uber denied that the FBI was
investigating the company and said that fraudsters
had used passwords illegally obtained elsewhere.

Source -

... go Back