Verify ID now required for all travelers?

[Ramona11]

Has anyone else run up against a requirement to use Verify ID no matter who you are booking with? For security reasons I do not with to keep my ocs on file and link my airbnb profile with my fb page. So I have not been able to book with any hosts now, and the hosts are not the ones imposing the requirement. as a Super Host myself, I think this is going to really hurt my business. Anyone know anything? Thanks!

[Steve585]

This is from their website and certaintly DOES NOT help:

Only authorized Airbnb employees are allowed access to your original documentation for troubleshooting or internal purposes.

Our third-party partners store information according to our written instructions and under our Privacy Policy.

Employees can see my ID? No way.

[Lotty1]

Hi there I really wanted to book a place here and photo Id needed I currently have no passport or driving licence would a passport and bank card be accepted I’m gutted as it’s really important and I’ve left til only few days before 😞 

[Boris100]

Was about to book a place for a week, bumped into this whole ID business, read this thread and found and booked the same place through HomeAway. Host did not require ID, Airbnb did.

[Marc269]

Thank-you for the Home Away tip... i found several options similar to AirBnB without the ridiculous ID requirement.  PASS IT ALONG:  Home Away.  GOOD BY AirBnB!!! 

[Lee284]

I will no take a photo of my ID and upload it. How sad, I did like Airbnb but not that much. Hopefully enough people will reject this to make Airbnb rethink this policy.

[Kathleen322]

Yes, I have I have just run into this issue today. This seems like a completely unnecessary procedure and an invasion of privacy. There are so many other ways to verify identity. I won't be using Airbnb again. I will use VRBO.

[Laura1965]

It is not optional; it is  now a requirement.  I was just trying to book a reservation and am advised that I cannot book unless I provide a photo of government ID via the internet!  They say it is secure.  Yes, it is secure until someone hacks into their system.  I do not mind showing my ID to a host when I arrive but I am not putting my ID on their server via the internet.  Looks like I will be staying that the Hilton Garden Inn.  Goodbye AirBnB.  What a darn shame!

[Joan-and-Keith1]

I am a host. Hosts are given a choice to require a ID or not. If Host require an ID, AirBnB will refuse the instant reservation, but send the host a link to the guests profile and host can choose to accept the guest without a ID. Today I just accepted a Guest who did not have an ID, he had a photo, good reviews, no bad reviews, a nice little bio, and been a Airbnb renter for over 3 years. Last week I rejected a guest who was new, no photo, and no reviews. If you have been rejected, the Host made that decision. As a host, I have to provide ID. The reason you are all using AirBnB instead of Cragslist, is because AirBnB hosts provide ID. I provide an ID, why shouldn't you? The reason why Homeaway and VRBO do not require an ID is that they withdraw the security deposit from your credit card, airBnB does not. Unhappy surprise when in middle of vacation, you discover $5000 has been charged to your card. 

[Andrew877]

Just found all this out now trying to book.

 I tell you why there is a problem.  Airbnb will become ( has become ) a huge honeypot for hackers, as opposed to a local hotel which may take a photocopy of my iD .

Worse , I cannot find anywhere an ability to ask airbnb to delete my records should I chose to opt out.  

Made the decision to find accomodation elsewhere .  

[Richard889]

Can't you just show whatever ID/credentials the host wants at the time of arrival?  Or perhaps this creates a bad situation if the host is not satisfied?  

Airbnb should just clearly state that certain credentials are absolutly required to rent the property at the time of arrival to be examined by the host.  Failure to comply may result in not gaining access to the property.

This is how we do things at airports, hotels etc.

[Barbara519]

You are mistaken, Joan and Keith.  This is a trial balloon where some percentage of would-be renters are required to send  photo id to airbnb.  This is not motivated by protecting the host--AT ALL!!!   Don't be fooled.  This id thing is another money-making scheme.

[Alina127]

Agree with Joan &Keith!!   People who've never been hotel managers, landlords, or AirBnb hosts DO NOT understand the serious risks invovled to the owner and their property when guests aren't required to place a security deposit at check-in!  Security deposits mitigates my risk from hosting people who are looking to steal items or trash my place.  Security deposits on Airbnb are not collected upfront and returned (or withheld) after check-out.  It is only collected after a claim has been made to the AirBnb resolution center, which is a big pain for hosts.  What should I do as a host to mitigate my risk since I can't collect upfront deposit? Requesting ID for Instant Book!   

If guests don't want to provide ID, that is totally fine, I'll review your profile, you answer my questions and from there decide to accept or decline.  

[Dan465]

The government ID requirement is bull.  I tried to book over the weekend and my IDs got rejected- two of them! 

Then em my wife goes on and reserves the location without even being asked to show/send a government ID! I already filed a complaint with the Federal trade Commission and will also do so with my state attorney general! Arbitrary and capricious and exposes me to unnecessary Identity Theft threats!

all of you who submitted IDs should file complaints with the FTC.

[Barbara519]

The experience you and your wife had is not unusual.  airbnb is trying this id thing out to see if it will fly.  This has nothing  to do with security for  their host.  They are selling the info.  If you read through theis thread you'll see a Huffington Post expose that tells the whole story.

[Matt455]

I've been trying to book a place for the last several days. The host removed the requirement but it still is forcing the ID. AirBnB support tried the same thing and it failed. They just got back to me and said even though the host wants to accept my request to book and I want to book they cannot figure out a technical way to make it happen. 

I told them: I have no problem with them vetting me; I'm just not comfortable with my IDs sitting on THEIR servers waiting to be taken. Once the hackers know all of these IDs are out there they will target AirBnb. It will be another Equifax situation.