What airbnb told me regarding ID verification

[Becky19]

After 1 phone call asking about a potential guest being hesitant to verify her ID I was told by the first airbnb staff memeber I spoke to that "even if the credit card information goes through, the reservation would be eventually cancelled untill or unless ID was verfied". I informed the guest and she said she would get back to me tomorrow and due to the time restraints I told her I would cancel and block the days until she decided if she wanted to book or confirm her ID due to "fears of Identity theft". The folllowing day the guest said, "I booked somewhere else that didn't require ID. I again told her what I was told and of course wished her the best, but immediately I called airbnb, this time a different explanation, apparantly, "A GUEST WITHOUT A VERIFIED ID MAY BE ABLE/IS ABLE TO BOOK A FEW TIMES BEFORE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ID VERIFICATION". This was not the same information provided to me the first time. I just wanted other hosts to know that airbnb is working towards making everyone ID VERIFIED, however, if this situation happens to you maybe this information will be valuable.

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[Dave1119]

Do a quick google search on personal information being hacked. Companies all over the world are hacked all the time. They all have "privacy policies" and encrypt data, likely encrypt networks and hacking still happens. There is no reason to have to upload documents that aren't redacted of a couple bits of information. I'm also more than happy to show a host my ID when I arrive just like I do at hotels. They look at it a few seconds and we're all good. Airbnb will be losing more people as people wake up to the need to protect themselves and their digital footprints.

[Nathan2257]

You have to understand that there is no good reason to trust AirBNB with these personal details. Air BNB essentially facilitated a scam where I lost over $1000 in a country I wasn't even in then gave away my personal details to scammers. Their "help" on phone and online is designed to make you walk away and there really is no recourse for the damage they have done. To date the full total of money lost (linked accounts etc) is over $11,200 + many many hours of trying to stem the flow of the damage Air BNB has done. If AirBNB confirmed your ID then discarded the copies of ID that would be helpful. Currently they do not provide any security for people who give critical personal details. If you haven't experienced identity theft the best way to ensure you encounter this horrible scenario is to upload your ID to a company who has a bad track record of securing your data.

[Jane1073]

I used to love Airbnb, the website that offers me access to nice accommodations for my summer travel. But now I am disappointed and angry at how Airbnb has been treating me.

I used Airbnb for two years and had success. I received 4-5 star ratings from the host families I stayed with. Now Airbnb is refusing me service. Airbnb wants me to send them a copy of my passport or driver’s license. I understand the rationale behind this step; it was designed to increase confidence in both hosts and guests. However, their process of verification made me instantly uneasy.

First, it made no sense to ask me to provide this information when I am already an established and repeat customer. Airbnb has all the necessary information: name, address, sex, birth date, phone number, email address, credit card, past hosts’ reviews and a profile picture. My history should have established me as a trustworthy customer. It appears that being an established customer means nothing to Airbnb.

Airbnb’s verification process is unreasonable. I travel extensively during my summer breaks (I teach) and I am familiar with hotels, motels, resorts, B&B’s, college dorms and other host families’ accommodations. Travelling usually involves reserving accommodation with a credit card. Upon arrival, the facilities perform a quick check of the passport or driver’s license.

The difference here is that I’m uploading sensitive information to Airbnb. These days anything on the Internet is vulnerable. The difference between entering my credit card information and my passport data online is that my credit card has some pretty serious guarantees and fraud detection in place. If someone gets a hold of my passport information and my identity is stolen, this can take years to fix.

Airbnb also asked that I provide them my social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google) connections. A business has no right to ask for social media information. After spending ample time reading reviews and blogs on Airbnb, it appears to me that Airbnb should stick to established customs and use common sense in business practices. Online there are numerous articles on Airbnb infringement and over collection of customers’ personal information. Many people are questioning their practices and tuning away from Airbnb.

hutch

[Paul1327]

Airbnb software is chronic , I tried 4 times to up-load passport picture and each time it was sent back. I have used countless other sites and never had a problem up-loading.

happy to send to host.

airbnb get your act together! 

[Maggie107]

Hi

I am totally new to this and am letting out my very large house for large family gatherings so most of my bookings wold be made well in advance.  I have my first enquiry who started with his profile picture of his dog, he has changed this after I said I was not comfortable with that.  His profile is only his first name but he has explained what the occassion is and the family members that will be staying.  The reservation is not for another 6 months which would be quite normal in my situation.  What I don't know is the following:

a)  Do airbnb verify everyone's id

b)  Is a deposit taken or credit card details

c)  When does the guest actually pay

Think that's it for now but I'm sure I'll have more questions as we go along

Thanks in advance for answers

Maggie

[Jim-and-Marcia0]

@Maggie107  Just a few notes for you that may be helpful to know, but not related to your questions. 🙂  1. The full name of the guest will not be revealed to you by Airbnb until the booking is confirmed. But you can ask the guest for their full name ahead of time if you wish. Most will readily give it to you.  2. With a full name and the town where they live, you can do a google search and find more information about the guest.  3. Keep your communication with the guest on the Airbnb platform. It's good for protecting your interests and easy to find to refresh your memory as it gets closer to the guest's date of arrival. 4. Requring an accurate photo of the guest is important, as well a profile description. If a guest inquires or instant books (I use the instant booking feature and like it) without a proper photo or a completed profile, I will simply ask them to complete their profile. Most will readily do so. 5. I try to develop a rapport with the guest ahead of time via the Airbnb message system. Some overly engage and some won't engage much at all. Either extreme can be telling. But Some guests will communicate better in person, even if they don't communicate well through the message system. 6. By allowing instant booking, I can still screen my guests after they have booked. If a guest doesn't pass muster and I feel uncomfortable about hosting them, I can cancel the reservation without penalty through Airbnb support. I've been hosting a year now and haven't had to do that yet, but it's an option that is good to have.

Hope this helps!

Marcia

[Becky19]

@Maggie107ID verificiation, is one somewhat up to you, also you can ask the person to verify the ID. The guests pays instantly, you get paid 1-3 days later after they arrive, as for the security deposit....I personally don't see it's benefit and I do beleive it is put on hold from their card.....but look up what it really means. I filed a claim due to damage and recieved a fraxtion of what I was requesting and the deposit was not included without any answers as to why. I did start out as flexible but once I got bookings switched to strict. I do not think renting a home out without supervision is a good idea, I would read all the stories avbout damages and claimes and nonreimbursements.....such as my hardwood floors 😞 I also make my guests put an actual picture of their face unless they are verified and I stay in the home and made my rules very clear and yes long. 

[Christian65]

Hi @Maggie107

Well your question A is answered in the thread already.

Browse the community pages and search and you shall find. This will help you find your answers.

Community Help Guides

How Much Does A Guest Pay

Security deposit

[Daniel833]

Please I need help am having problem with my hosting ID verification and my listings are not showing on airbnb

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

@Becky19 - I want to assuage your fears.  If your personal ID is verified (which yours is) and you have Instant Book turned on (which you do) with the requirement the guest be fully verified before booking turned on (guessing you do have this requirement), the guest will not be able to complete a reservation without it.  This is an automated process built into the software  and despite what the second help center person told you, would not apply to the above conditions and would prevent the guest from booking with you.  There is no "override" and Airbnb will not approve a guest on your behalf that does not meet your criteria.  This violates their Terms of Service.

However, a guest may be able to book a "few times" before they have their profile verified as long as they are booking at locations that do not require a verified ID. Again, this is an automated process, no one is looking at each and every reservation unless there is a problem.  The second call center person was only partially correct and definitely misleading.  

In all fairness, you probably dodged a bullet with this guest because anyone who doesn't trust and become verified is, in my opinion, already a problem guest. What do they have to hide? A criminal background.  Of the 4 or 5 my requesting guests who couldn't get verified or wouldn't, some online sleuthing resulted in mug shots each and every time.  One guest it took 3 days because she had been arrested twice and they had to verify it was for DUI and not something more sinister.  Chinese verifications take longer because they don't have Facebook or LinkedIn, but getting verified requires their passport.  

In the future, these links may help to explain Verified ID to a guest and how it is used at Airbnb.  When a guest is hedging, this information seems to soothe the anxiety. 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1237/how-does-providing-identification-on-airbnb-work

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/4/how-does-airbnb-help-build-trust-between-hosts-and-guests

https://www.airbnb.com/terms/privacy_policy

[Tabbatha4]

This is absolute nonsense. I am using my passport and all of the proper ID and I'm not a criminal and I doubt the many others I see online who are struggling to get their IDs verified through Airbnb's system are either. The system is buggy. The software does not work correctly. 

[Marion453]

Just an FYI HERE.  I was planni g to use air bnb (Not Alice and Jeffs)  and have been put off by having to download government ID.   I am not a criminal, and have never been  a problem guest.  I would have no problem showing ID on arrival.  This seems to be how most online bookers, ie airlines, hotels, b and b's   etc.  handle  things.  What I do have is serious and reasonable  concerns about how good security measures are for such sensitive info.  Identity theft is real and people are right to have concerns.

[David2259]

I think you're making a big assumption here. I came across this discussion thread when searching around after AirBNB asked me to re-upload my driver's license, front and back. I have already done this, but I covered my driver's license number, but that wasn't good enough. I will never upload my full driver's license information to airbnb. It's not because I have anything "to hide", it's because I don't trust them to protect this information sufficiently from hackers. I also think it's reasonable to be skeptical that they would never abuse it or sell it, but the main risk is them being hacked and the subsequent identity theft. Requesting and storing this level of personal information just makes them a bigger target. I think you have it backwards; anybody providing such information to airbnb is being naive about the state of internet security at most internet companies.

[Uche69]

To be sure, isn't driver license number is public info? Who says driver license issuing and storing agencies aren't hacker target. Water kills yet we all drink!

[Tamara517]

GM, I am having the same problem with my Driver's License. I have several stays from last year and my Driver's License was uploaded front/back in 2019 at that point. However, I made a new booking for a conference in March and Airbnb requested it again without any reason why which I find unacceptable.  Why I am uploading my DL again when I have several stays and great reviews as a guest? There is no explanation and the Airbnb chatbot is of no help. When a real person took over I did not receive a straight answer. 

[Lilah3]

Well stated.

[Jessica932]

Absolutely! AND, worse... I'm a NYC host. We are required by AirBnb to provide our personal ID for renting (They don't tell you this upfront...They wait until you are already using their system to shut you down until you submit your ID).  Now that AirBnB has all our information stored in their database, they are required by NYC law to reveal it all to "the authorities" in early 2019! This is a very serious privacy threat and total friggin' nightmare!

[Jay155]

I have a guest asking to stay at my house and they do not have verification or any reviews.  He provided his daughters name to check her reviews.  Is there a way that I can do that?

[Becky19]

@Jay155Ask him to provide it, ID verification, or have his daughter make her own profile.  I do not accept anyone unless they are verified or have several reviews. Also who is it him who is staying? If so he should have no issue verifying his ID