Ohio has joined a multistate lawsuit against Uber USA, LLC and Uber Technologies, Inc., alleging deceptive practices related to the company’s Uber One subscription service. The lawsuit was originally filed by the Federal Trade Commission and is currently pending in a U.S. District Court in California.
The legal action claims that Uber misled customers by offering “free trials” that automatically converted into paid subscriptions, overstated potential savings, made canceling subscriptions difficult, and in some cases charged users before their billing date or before free trials ended.
“Uber took consumers for a ride – and it wasn’t what they signed up for,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “A free trial shouldn’t lead to a surprise bill, and canceling shouldn’t become an exercise in frustration.”
The lawsuit seeks refunds for affected consumers, civil penalties, and a court order to stop Uber from using these tactics in the future.
Other states joining Ohio include Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The District Attorney for Alameda County in California is also participating.
Consumers with concerns about Uber One or who suspect unfair business practices are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office operates as the state’s authorized body for legal representation and law enforcement under Ohio statutes (https://ohioattorneygeneral.gov/). Led by Dave Yost as attorney general (https://ohioattorneygeneral.gov/), the office oversees legal operations throughout Ohio via its main office in Columbus and regional locations (https://ohioattorneygeneral.gov/). It provides services such as consumer protection enforcement and handling complaints from residents across the state (https://ohioattorneygeneral.gov/).
