Hacked Uber Accounts Are More Valuable Than Stolen Credit Cards on the Dark Web

What’s the hottest thing you can buy on the dark web today? According to new research, PayPal accounts with at least $500 in them and Uber accounts are among the most expensive items hackers are selling
Hacked Uber Accounts Are More Valuable Than Stolen Credit Cards on the Dark Web
File photo: In this Feb. 10, 2015, file photo, Anthony Khoury, head of Middle East and Africa expansions for Uber, demonstrates the mobile application at a press event to celebrate the official launch of the car-hailing service in Cairo. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
1/23/2016
Updated:
1/23/2016

What’s the hottest thing you can buy on the dark web today? According to new research, PayPal accounts with at least $500 in them and Uber accounts are among the most expensive items hackers are selling. In fact, it looks like Uber logins, which would let buyers score free rides on the popular taxi service, are even more expensive than Netflix logins and credit card account numbers.

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According to CNBC, a study from security firm Trend Micro revealed that Uber accounts sell for up to $4 each on the dark web, which is less than what you'd pay for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. But that’s significantly more expensive than Netflix logins ($0.76) and credit cards ($0.22). Comparatively, Facebook logins cost an average of $3.02 each, and PayPal accounts with balances have an average selling price of $6.43.

Users who purchase Uber credentials can then book “ghost rides” with the car service. The real account owner is then charged the fee for a ride he or she didn’t actually take. That’s a clear sign an Uber account was hijacked, although it obviously doesn’t mean Uber was hacked.

There are many ways a hacker can access login details for online services including Uber, especially considering all of the awful passwords people continue to use.