Scam alert!

[Sue2572]

Hello everyone,

one guy asked my air bnb internet speed and asked me what’s my Id address so he can check it by himself because he pre booked a month and need a high speed internet. I didn’t give him as I told him 1g is the highest you can get here. 

Also Has Anyone heard about getting their chequing account hacked. Hacker’s e mail address was added and e transferred out money without triggering bank alert security system until the second transfer? Anyone know how to prevent that? 

[Wendy-May0]

Those are two very serious, but totally separate, issues to deal with at once! Let's get right to the point on both.

 

1. IP Address:

You handled that guest request perfectly. Refusing to give your IP address was the only correct move. That information is an unnecessary security risk for a booking, and it is absolutely not required to verify internet speed.

• The Fix: Since he booked for a month, he clearly needs reassurance about the speed. The most professional way to handle this is to run a recent speed test (like on Speedtest.net). Send him a clear screenshot of the Download, Upload, and Ping (latency) results. That gives him the exact factual data he needs without any security compromise.

 

2. Hack/e-transfer

That story is terrifying, and I hope the affected party can recover their funds. This level of hacking is usually due to a deep compromise of their email or a SIM-swap attack.

• Top Prevention Tips:

  1. Strong 2FA: The email tied to the bank account must have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled. They need to use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy), not SMS text messages. SMS is too easy for hackers to exploit.

  2. Bank Alerts: Make sure the bank account is set to trigger an alert for every login attempt and every new e-transfer recipient. Immediate alerts are the only way to stop a fraudster during the transfer process.

Locking down that email is the single most important firewall against this kind of fraud.

Let me know if you have already got strong app-based 2FA on your accounts or if you think your bank's alert system could be stronger.

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Sue2572 

I don’t think I would allow that. What you can do instead is run a speed test while you’re at your Airbnb and send a screenshot to your guest as proof. 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Sue2572 , thanks for alerting fellow hosts. 

Regarding the second incident you mention, did it happen with you or you heard about it somewhere?

[Sue2572]

It was my experience and I did change my phone provider with disclosed my identify in front of a bunch of foreigners looking people, one of them sit on the right side to me by 1 foot about 1 hour. it took that long to get it done by my realty client who was a new to this job sit on left side to me.  I’m also a realtor by the way. 
thank you everyone. 

[Bhumika]

Thanks for sharing @Sue2572 !

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

@Sue2572 

Why not use the Airbnb Wifi speed test that automatically shows the WiFi speed on your listing to guests? You also get a special callout on the listing for guests to see. No need to do your own speed test and then send a screen shot. The guest can clearly see the WiFi speed on your listing page.

Airbnb WiFi Speed Test

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3003

I have seen the Airbnb speed show slightly lower than using the SpeedTest App, but with 1gig that's not an issue. Be sure any devices that use WiFi are off when doing the speed test (TVs, speakers, etc.)

[Sue2572]

@Joan2709 Just learned that from you. Thank you, I will do that