With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Uber Driver Demands $500 From Passenger Who Left Phone In Car
Earlier today we wrote about a woman who paid $357 for an Uber ride from the Westside to Hollywood, and since then we've been hearing a lot of not-so-pleasant stories about the ride-sharing service. One of those includes a woman who says that an Uber driver held her iPhone hostage when she left it in his car.Jennifer Gomez told LAist that she took a short Uber ride while barhopping on Thursday night, but afterward she realized that she had left her work cell phone in the car. Her friend who had requested the ride got in touch with the driver that same night and asked if he could bring it back to them. The driver named Emmanuel asked her friend how much he would be willing to pay, and then demanded $500.
Gomez got in touch with Uber. A representative for Uber wrote to Gomez, "Our driver operations team has deactivated his account until he returns your phone. I really hope this works."
But that didn't seem to help. Gomez continued calling Emmanuel and tried to negotiate with him. Eventually, she agreed to pay the money for the phone and meet up with him on Friday night, but he never showed. Emmanuel had two phone numbers, but he has since deactivated one of the numbers.
Gomez called the experience "upsetting" and said that she's working with Uber right now to see if they can reimburse her for a new phone.
Sponsored message
Related:
Woman Says Uber Charged $357 For Ride From West L.A. To Hollywood
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
