In an unexpected turn of events, a couple’s vacation in Costa Rica took a nightmarish twist when an Uber ride left them with a jaw-dropping bill of approximately Rs 24 lakh. Douglas Ordonez and his partner, Dominique, were celebrating their fifth anniversary when they decided to book a cab through Uber to explore the city. Little did they know that a glitch in the app’s currency conversion would lead to a staggering overcharge of nearly 600 percent.
After completing their ride, the couple was shocked to discover that Uber had charged them $29,994 for a journey that should have cost them only $55. It turned out that the couple had inadvertently used their debit card instead of their usual credit card for the transaction. As a result, the money was automatically deducted from their bank account, leaving them with a negative balance.
Upon realizing the issue, Douglas and Dominique took to Twitter to share their frustration. They expressed disappointment at the lack of immediate assistance from Uber and their inability to find a customer service number for direct contact. The couple’s bank, Altura Credit Union, informed them that they would have to wait for four days to see if the amount would be corrected.
While the couple anxiously waited for a resolution, Uber’s support team reached out on Twitter to address the matter. However, it wasn’t until a week and a few days later that the couple finally received a refund from Uber. The delay in the refund compounded the couple’s distress, leaving them questioning the effectiveness of Uber’s customer support.
In response to the incident, Uber acknowledged the error and explained that it was due to a bank error in converting the currency from dollars to colones, the local currency of Costa Rica. Uber promptly released the authorization hold, ensuring that the couple would not face any further financial repercussions.
Although the couple eventually received their money back, the incident serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the importance of being vigilant when it comes to payment methods and currency conversions. It also underscores the need for robust customer support systems to address such issues promptly and effectively. As Uber continues to refine its services, it is essential for users to remain aware of potential glitches and reach out for assistance when faced with unexpected challenges.
