A Jacksonville woman says her phone was held for ransom after she accidentally left it in the back of an Uber.
Angela Jiacopello and a friend went to the Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville for a show Saturday night at the end of April. They took an Uber back home.
"Once we got back to her house, I realized my phone was missing. So, I had her call the number. The Uber driver who brought us back home answered the home," Angela Jiacopello explained.
Jiacopello believes her phone must have fallen out of her purse. She says the Uber driver said he would return it, but for a price.
"He said I have your phone. How much is it worth to you? I said, 'How much do you want?' He said $75," Jiacopello said.
Jiacopello said she wasn't paying that amount to get her own property back. She filed a police report and contacted the Ask Anthony team for help.
"I said I'm going to write Anthony to see if maybe he has a way to get in touch with these people or maybe help me get in touch with these people," Jiacopello added.
Anthony Austin immediately reached out to Uber and received a response from a spokesperson that they would look into the matter. A few hours later, Anthony received a text message from Jiacopello that she received a call from Uber. The driver was returning her phone at no charge.
"I'm quite aware that if this is happening to me, it's happening to other customers out there," Jiacopello said.
An Uber spokesperson told First Coast News they have a 24/7 customer support team to help with any issues, including lost items. Customers can report lost items through the app or the website. However, they do charge a $20 return fee.
Jiacopello said she would have been fine with paying that fee, but not $75.
"Uber needs to take responsibility and address that issue with that driver," Jiacopello responded.
Anthony asked an Uber spokesperson if the driver was still employed with the company or if they were disciplined for their actions. The spokesperson said Uber cannot share specific details, but the company took appropriate action.