Uber Account Hacked? Here Are Your Next Steps

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 get things resolved.

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. 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 get back in control.

Run a virus scan

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself online is use a strong antivirus program. For recovering a hacked Uber account (and protecting from future attacks), you want something with good scanning capability, strong phishing protection, and an easy-to-use interface.

Here are some of your best options.

• TotalAV: If you want the best all-around antivirus, we recommend TotalAV. It’s cost effective, offers a well-rounded set of security features, and is easy to use. It’ll help keep your Uber account — and your whole system — secure.

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• Bitdefender: Phishing scams are one of the most common ways accounts get compromised, including Uber accounts. Bitdefender is the best antivirus option if phishing protection is your top priority.

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• Avast: If you want the best free antivirus, we recommend Avast. While it doesn’t offer the same wide range of features as its paid counterparts, it’ll cover most of the basics when it comes to protecting your Uber account and other private information.

  Get Avast | Read Avast Review

Reset your Uber password

The next thing you should do 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 and follow the instructions. You’ll need access to the email address associated with your Uber account. You’ll receive a link to reset the password via this email address.

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 taking a few minutes to reset 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.

Check your bank account or credit card for fraudulent charges

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

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

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 is a feature that requires you to input a code in addition to your password when you log into your account. These codes are usually sent via text message.

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 are 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 give some additional identifying information because they want to make sure that the right person is getting access to the account.

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

• Uber Drivers that are locked out of their account 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 pickup when you didn’t request a trip.
• 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 stay as protected as possible across all your accounts.

Here are some tips.

• 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 links you click and 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.

Hacked Uber account FAQ

Bottom line

Having your Uber account (or any 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 is hacked, you should immediately run a virus scan, change your password, and take steps to secure your account like 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 good antivirus software and follow online safety best practices, such as using strong passwords and not downloading files you don’t trust.

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Author Details

Dave Schafer

About the Author

Dave Schafer is a professional writer with a decade of experience specializing in cybersecurity. His expertise spans gadgets, technology, and the internet, with a focus on topics such as routers, hardware, and VPN product comparisons.