Uber Issues, Energy Contracts, Fake Elon & State Surplus Problems

People with maddening consumer problems write to The Watchdog every day. The inbox is mostly bad news.

Occasionally, though, the clouds part, angels sing, and a consumer wins. Let me show you.

Hacked Uber account

Dear Watchdog, My Uber account was hacked. My credit card company immediately noted multiple fraudulent Uber Eats charges in Canada (I live in Dallas) and shut it down.

Or so I thought. One charge for over $300 was not removed because the restaurant had already started making the order. I can no longer use my Uber account unless I pay the charge. I have tried unsuccessfully to reach a person and plead my case. I also had an unsatisfactory chat with an Uber bot.

This is unacceptable, and I’m not sure what else to do.

– Robert Allison of Dallas

Dear Robert, first of all, why not switch to Uber’s main competitor, Lyft? I switched years ago after learning that Uber was spying on journalists trying to cover the company. Then there have been stories of Uber drivers assaulting passengers. Fortunately, I’ve not had any problems with Lyft.

On your behalf, The Watchdog contacted Uber’s “Priority Support” department. Uber reexamined your case, and a staffer reports that a $339 charge has been removed from your account. Access has been restored. Five stars!

Susceptible elderly

Dear Watchdog:

My husband has been texting with someone I found out for a year. My husband thinks he’s a friend. “Elon” had offered him $85,000 and a Tesla. I told my husband this is a scam. He’s finding it hard to believe. Am I right this is a scam? My husband is 85 and can’t drive.”

– D.S. of Carrollton (protecting her full name for security.)

Dear D.S., I feel for you. This isn’t your husband’s fault. As we get older we lose power over the part of the brain that helps us distinguish fantasy from reality.

You ask if this is a scam. The Watchdog’s ruling is clear. If your gut tells you something isn’t right, then it is very likely a scam. There’s also the “too-good-to-be-true” rule.

It’s super lucky you caught your husband. Otherwise, you might have awakened one day to find your bank accounts drained, and your credit cards maxed out.

If you haven’t already removed his access to these accounts, do so. In today’s world he’ll likely be challenged again and again.

Electricity games

Dear Watchdog, It’s a bit of a pain switching electricity contracts around on six-month plans. I was just curious if you had any thoughts. Is it worth signing a longer term or not?

– William Newbill of Plano

Dear William,

First, thanks for steering my attention back to electricity companies, one of The Watchdog’s favorite subjects.

You wanted my opinion on whether you should buy short-term six-month electricity plans, or go long term.

Related

The Watchdog is honored that you think I would know. It’s like picking a horse in a race. Whatever advice I give you is guaranteed to be wrong. I am very good at telling you what happened yesterday, as a journalist – but terrible about predicting tomorrow. I am always wrong.

State surplus

Dear Watchdog, I do not believe your expert answered the question as to where the money will come from to fund education in the long term.

While we may have surpluses now, who can guarantee the funds will be there in the future to fund education?

– Melba Morrow of Highland Village

Dear Melba, Kudos to you for recognizing the Great Undecided Question of the 2027 Legislature. Legislative leaders believe that the surplus is not going away anytime soon, not with the economy in Texas as strong as it is.

They also realize that they can’t deliver riches to public education and then take it all back if things go awry. They promise the flow of money is permanent (their phrase is “a yearly commitment”) because they have a responsibility to keep education moving in the right direction.

But who knows? As I explained above, don’t ask me what’s coming down the road.