Attorney General Brian Schwalb has thrown his weight into a legal battle against Uber, accusing the rideshare giant of finagling its customers into a subscription scheme they didn't sign up for and couldn't easily escape. In a coalition with 21 other law enforcement agencies, Schwalb's office has joined a lawsuit spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), targeting deceptive tactics reportedly used by Uber in promoting its Uber One service. Schwalb called out the company for automatically enrolling users into the service and hindering their exit, behaviors that could hit the wallets of over 100,000 D.C. residents who find themselves subscribed to Uber One.
With the cost of living taking an ever-greater toll on consumers' finances, no one should "ever be stuck paying for a subscription they do not want," Schwalb stated. He explained the lawsuit aims to halt Uber from further deceptive practices by outlining how the company allegedly enrolled consumers without consent and put them through a labyrinth of steps to cancel, which involved navigating through at least 7 screens and performing a minimum of 12 different actions, according to the press release from the Attorney General's office.
The legal complaint doesn't stop there, it also accuses Uber of prematurely charging consumers, even before the end of the free trial periods, and utilizing "negative option" marketing - a policy where customers are automatically charged if they fail to cancel a trial. The lawsuit, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, demands restitution for consumers, penalties for Uber, and an injunction against these alleged unlawful practices.
States' Attorney Generals from across the map, including Maryland, Alabama, and New York, among others, have allied themselves with the District in this campaign for accountability against Uber. The coalition also garners support from the District Attorney of Alameda County, illustrating a united front that spans the breadth of the nation.
For residents feeling the sting of deceitful commerce, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) stands as a bulwark against exploitation and fraud. With an impressive tally of nearly $80 million reclaimed through enforcement actions since January 2023, the OAG demonstrates its commitment to consumer protection. Those affected by unfair business practices can reach out to the OAG by lodging complaints online, calling their hotline, or sending an email to the specified address detailed in the original release.
