Be Prudent When Riding With Uber.

As I age, I become more cautious with my expenditures.

Yesterday, I utilized Uber's services to secure a ride, which was initially displayed at a price of $13.36. It was charged to my card immediately. However, upon inspecting my account this morning, I discovered that the charge was now $14.45. Upon further investigation on my Uber account, I noticed that they had deducted an extra $1.09 from my card without my authorization.

I sent an email to them expressing my dissatisfaction with the unauthorized deduction, as they had debited my card without my consent.

This was their reply.

The message I read from Uber was alarming. Apparently, even if the driver is at the wrong location and hits "Arrived", the passenger is charged for the 3-minute waiting time, even if they were already waiting at the correct location as agreed upon.

It's concerning to think about how much extra money could be taken from the public if we're not careful about these deductions. Although it may seem insignificant ($1.09), over time it can add up to a lot. It's not about being stingy, but rather about principles and accountability.

This situation demonstrates how easily our security can be compromised.

In response, I have decided to remove my card payment method and use cash instead. It's too risky to allow them to charge our cards without our permission. We lose control over the deductions, which can be dangerous.

Update - December 29, 2017

After contacting DBS bank, I was informed that Uber has the right to charge extra without seeking permission from the cardholder as all the card details have been given to them. Even if the transaction is processed overseas, Uber will still charge extra and local banks will also charge extra fees. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious when using your card with Uber.

Furthermore, it appears that the situation is more complicated than it initially seems. Even when I booked an Uber with the app in Singapore, the booking can be arranged from overseas. In my case, the booking was handled in the Netherlands. According to DBS, the extra charges were bank charges incurred because my booking was done in the Netherlands. Thus, both the bank and Uber will charge us.

I have decided to delete my Uber account and stick to traditional taxis and cash payments from now on. Not all advanced technologies are beneficial for us. I prefer to live a simple life. :)