Uber warns customers on increased prices for Halloween

It's a popular option for people needing a ride around town and Lauren Rothrock told Channel 9 that she always liked Uber's ride-sharing services.

“It was always a reasonable price to get home safely,” she said.

That was until last Halloween when she was charged about $125 for an 8.4 mile ride. It usually costs around $18.

“It was really busy, so I understand that,” Rothrock said. “But we’re all trying to get home safely, so I don’t think it was fair for them to try to do that.”

Uber calls it surge pricing. They charge higher prices when demand is high. Millions of customers got a warning Friday letting them know Uber will be practicing it again this year despite frustration for customers like Cesar Marlos, who got a bill five times higher than normal.

“It makes you really angry,” Marlos said. “The reality it makes you angry because you use that service because you feel comfortable but it’s really a rip off.”

The city and the state have both tried to regulate Uber, but they can't touch prices, only the safety and security of drivers and cars. Buyers have to be aware what you could pay.