car2go Resumes Services In Chicago After 21 People Arrested For Fraud Incident
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Short-term car rental company car2go resumed service in Chicago Thursday after the company temporarily paused service in the city last week.
(1/2 ) SHARE NOW will begin reinstating service in Chicago today, though it may take several days before the full fleet is operational. We've incorporated a new enhanced, multi-layered verification process.
— car2go Chicago joins SHARE NOW (@car2goChicago) April 24, 2019
Chicago police said 21 people were arrested and charged, including one charged with identity theft, in relation to a fraud issue reported April 17.
RELATED: car2go Temporarily Suspends Service In Chicago Due To Fraud Issue
Angelo Patterson, 19, of Chicago, was charged with felony counts of counterfeiting and altering a credit or debit card as well as aggravated identity theft of a victim older than 60 years old.
He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license, resisting or obstruction of a police officer, and criminal trespass to vehicles.
Patterson was the only offender charged with felony counts, police said. The other 20 offenders were charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass to vehicles and other Illinois vehicle code charges.
Last week, CBS 2's Brad Edwards tweeted the car2go app had been hacked and that as many as 100 Mercedes or high-end cars were either missing or stolen.
Breaking: "Car 2 Go" app "hacked" in Chicago. As many as 100 Mercedes / high-end cars missing / stolen. Many being used to commit crimes. > 12 people in custody so far. Per sources. Developing. @cbschicago
— Brad Edwards (@tvbrad) April 17, 2019
However, car2go insisted it was not hacked and that no member's personal or confidential information was compromised.
Clarification: We were not hacked. This is an instance of fraud, isolated to Chicago, and we are currently working with law enforcement. None of our member's personal or confidential information has been compromised. No other SHARE NOW North American market has been affected.
— car2go joins SHARE NOW (@car2go) April 17, 2019
Chicago police said all car2go vehicles have been recovered.