Uber Account Hacked? Here Are Your Next Steps

Weak passwords are one way hackers can access your online accounts. But the most common vector for hackers is phishing, in which you unknowingly give bad actors the information they need to breach your accounts. If you suspect your Uber account has been hacked, you should immediately change your password and contact Uber to report the suspicious activity.

Some signs that your Uber account might be hacked include finding records of trips you didn't take, charges for things you didn’t buy, or messages from drivers when you didn’t make any requests. If you’re locked out of your account, you can reach out to Uber to regain access and resolve the issue, though the process isn't always easy.

In this article, we’ll cover all this in more detail, plus go over some practical steps you can take to protect your Uber account, such as using strong passwords and choosing a good antivirus program to help stop phishing attempts. Let’s dig in!

What to do if your Uber account was hacked

First of all, don’t stress! It’s possible to recover and secure your hacked Uber account. Follow these steps to regain control.

1. Run a virus scan

One of the best ways to protect yourself online from hackers is to use a reliable antivirus program with strong phishing protection. For recovering a hacked Uber account (and protecting it from future attacks), you want something with strong scanning capabilities, an easy-to-use interface, and advanced protection against phishing emails, malicious websites, and fraudulent texts. 

Norton, TotalAV, and Bitdefender offer robust protection against malware and scams (like phishing).

2. Reset your Uber password

The next step, if you think your Uber account was compromised, is reset the password. This is a good practice to get into anytime you’re worried about the security of any account.

Follow these steps to reset your Uber password.

1. Launch the Uber app on your device.
2. Select Account, then Help.





3. Under the Help menu, select Account > Can’t sign in or request a trip > I forgot my password.





4. Tap "Request a link to reset your password," then follow the instructions. You’ll need access to the email address associated with your Uber account. You’ll receive a password reset link via this email address.

3. Reset passwords for any other accounts that used the same password as your Uber account

If you have any other accounts that use the same password as your Uber account, we highly recommend resetting those passwords as well.

Given the frequency of data breaches these days, it’s not a stretch to think criminals will find other accounts owned by an individual that share a common password.

4. Check your bank account or credit card for fraudulent charges

Whenever an account is compromised, it’s a good idea to monitor your bank and credit accounts for any unusual charges. This is especially important with accounts that have financial information, such as Uber.

If you see unauthorized charges, contact your financial institution immediately.

5. Turn on two-step verification

Finally, if you don’t have two-step verification (sometimes called two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short) activated on your Uber account, now is a good time to turn it on. This feature requires you to enter a code in addition to your password when you log in to your account. These codes are usually sent via text message. 

Uber offers 2FA verification via SMS or authenticator apps. Using an authenticator app is highly recommended because it offers stronger security.

Here are the steps to enable two-step verification on your Uber account.

1. Open the Uber app.
2. Tap Account, then tap on your profile picture.





3. Tap Security > 2-step verification.





4. Tap Get started and follow the prompts.

What to do if you’re locked out of your hacked Uber account

Occasionally, users may find themselves locked out of their Uber accounts. This can happen if your account was hacked and actions were performed that violate Uber’s terms of service, such as identity or financial fraud. It can also occasionally happen to drivers if documents have expired.

You can find a full list of reasons why your account might be locked on Uber’s help site.

If you do find yourself locked out, there’s a simple form you can fill out on Uber’s support site. You’ll be asked to provide additional identifying information to ensure the right person has access to the account.

• Riders who are locked out of their account can use the form here: I can’t sign in to my account.

• Uber Drivers who are locked out of their accounts can use the form here: I have another account issue. Make sure to hit the toggle labeled I cannot sign in.

How to tell if your Uber account is hacked

Sometimes you might suspect that your Uber account has been hacked, but you’re not quite sure. For example, something might seem off, but you still have normal account access. Here are a few red flags and warning signs that your Uber account has been hacked.

• Your account shows trip requests or completed trips that you didn’t request or make.
• You have phone calls or texts from a driver about a pickup you didn’t request.
• Your account shows receipts for trips you don’t recognize.
• Your account shows signs of changes that you don’t remember making, or that don’t make sense, including changes to payment information.
• The password or email address associated with your account has been changed, but you don’t remember making the changes.

How to protect your Uber account

The best way to keep your Uber account from getting hacked is to follow some basic online security best practices. These will help you stay safe online and ensure that your privacy and security are as protected as possible across all your accounts.

Here are some tips.

• Don't share personal information. Bad actors can use your sensitive information to access your online accounts. Small details, like your birthday, the name of your first pet, the street you grew up on, and more, can be used against you. 
• Use strong passwords. Strong passwords should be long (the more characters, the harder it is to crack with software). They should contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Never use kids’ names or other personally identifiable phrases — ideally, the password won’t be a “real word” at all.
• Don’t share your passwords or accounts. Once the password is in someone else’s hands, you lose control over what happens to it. Even well-meaning people slip up sometimes. Spouses would be the one exception.
• Don’t be afraid to change your passwords. If you suspect your account might have been compromised, change your password immediately.
• Use a reputable antivirus program. A good antivirus can help keep your accounts and information safe and root out malware.
• Be wise about the links you click and the files you download. Phishing attacks using fake links or malicious files are extremely common. Don’t click or open anything if you’re not absolutely sure the source is trustworthy.
• Keep your device’s operating system and apps updated. Software updates can be annoying, but they often contain critical fixes for security vulnerabilities.

Bottom line

Having your Uber account hacked can be alarming and stressful. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to recover your account and protect yourself in the future.

If you suspect your account has been hacked, you should immediately run a virus scan, change your password, and take steps to secure your account, such as turning on 2-step verification. If you’re locked out of your account, you can contact Uber for assistance.

To protect yourself from future attacks, make sure you’re using a reliable antivirus program and follow online safety best practices, such as using strong passwords, avoiding downloading files from untrusted sources, and never sharing personal information online.

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