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!

[Marc269]

I agree, I have moved to VRBO shortly after AirBnB put in this absurd policy.  I was using VRBO before ABnB and have always been happy with there services and options.  I've used VRBO services in Canada, USA and Europe...with no issues.  

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@Aleese0 wrote:

As somebody who worked as an Uber driver and had their driver's licsense info hacked, this is really disappointing! I have been using Airbnb for 5 years and have a stellar rating. THAT is who I am, my photo i.d. doesn't mean jack. It looks like I will need to move over to VRBO and I will actually recommend this to the host since the only thing standing in the way of our business transaction is THIS platform!

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[Mariane25]

I rented a place a just few months ago (Sept 2018) with no requirement to upload ID, a few days ago I went to rent a place and ID is now required. I do not believe it is necessary to provide a drivers license or other govt ID - ESPECIALLY since it is going to be stored by Airbnb. I have no problem with the host requesting to see my ID when I check in, I DO have a problem with a company STORING both my ID (min 3 months?) and credit card info.  This is a hack just waiting to happen.  I am an owner of a vacation condo myself, we request ID upon check in and a security deposit. For this upcoming trip, I'm booking a hotel.  Having my Identification hacked is NOT worth the $200 I'm going to save. Thanks, but no thanks, Airbnb !

[Ange2]

@Mariane25   And it's not even Airbnb who verify and store it, they use a third party Jumio (last I heard). All hosts (well maybe only here at the moment because privacy laws are lax in comparison with other countries) were forced to do so:  a face-match with passport that has biometric data embedded,  (they refuse State ID) just before the holidays on pain of having their listing deleted and all future reservations cancelled, despite the fact that Airbnb have SS#, financial account details, address, email, countless reviews from people who have met them in-person, etc.  You can delete your ID from Airbnb but the third party still retains it -  https://www.jumio.com/ (last I heard)   And to top it off even Airbnb states that verified ID is not a guarantee of identity.

[Mike1030]

i booked something last fall (2018) and i didn't have to upload ID.    Now i can't book anything without it?

I'll be happy to show someone my ID in-person, but i'm not uploading it to a website for someone to hack in and steal everbody's ID.    Is there an option for some kind of in-person verification where they don't take a copy?

sorry, I'm going elsewhere.

[Helen3]

Yes there are other listing companies  @Mike1030 I believe that don't require it. I would use one of them.

From a host perspective I  want someone's ID verified when they book, i don't want to have to wait until they are on my doorstep to check for ID.

[Elizabeth1197]

Just came across this Airbnb gov't id requirement.  Absolutely would not submit my gov't id info to a commercial venture with data being stored in the U.S.  Consider the patriot act which gives access to the U.S. gov't and all the reports of hacking & leaks.  During online booking even airlines can only ask for certain elements of passport id  and only if you are travelling outside the country.  Identity theft is real.  Canadian passport says on page 1 that its the property of the Canadian gov't (which means they own what is in the passport) and that you must take every pre-caution to safeguard it.   Airbnb has your name, location, photo and credit card info - they gather enough info about you from that.  Lots of other booking companies out there!

[Anthea31]

VRBO??????        il look this up and will be off there, if they dont have this id stealing requirement like airb&b.....

[Jillian89]

Yea this pissed me off, but I did it UNTIL it forced me to then immediately take a selfie. You have my credit card, my government ID (front and back), and now you are requiring me to take a selfie? For some reason that was the final straw for me.

[Rebecca854]

After spending thousands of airbnb, I am leaving the company over the photo ID issue. I understand where they are coming from, but every major corporation has been hacked. I don't want my ID sold on the dark web along with all the other info that's been hacked. They should have a work around to this, or accept a fuzzy ID or a black and white image

[Lynda168]

I have STOPPED USING Airbnb because of this.

They say their site is secure. Bologna!!!!!

Any site can get hacked.

Who does this company think they are putting people at risk like that.

Wanting you credit card AND a copy of your drivers license or passport!!!!!!!!

No thanks

[Don223]

I've been doing busines with airbnb since October 2013, but no more. I've never had an issue. I'm not going to give them my drivers license. I have not uploaded my license to any other company, so why do it now?

[Henry240]

It's not only the Photo Id, they rarely respond when asked a question, their refund policy sux, fake reviews, the list goes on, were they not hacked a short time ago?, and now they want to provide more Information

for the hackers.

[Melissa878]

It´s really bad, that I can only directly book the room by providing my ID with photo. For landlords that verify themselves (no direct booking available) is still ok withought ID.

[Ana1136]

@Melissa878 It's really great that you can only Instant Book by providing your ID. You are staying in someone's home and not a hotel.. even in a hotel you have to provide ID, how will people know if it is really you. We even take copies of our guests ID or Passport for the police ourselves, no matter if they verified their profile on Airbnb already. 

[Sharon754]

I wanna say "Oh Come On Now" - If you go to a Hotel they require your Driver's liscene or Passport.  They also ask for make and model of car and the liscense plate number - and face it if you've rented a car the rental agency has all that and a credit card as it's almost impossible to rent with cash.  Everyone of those  agencies I've come across require a verified bank account and they are going to be holding a lot of money until two weeks after you return your .vehicle.

If something happens at my house I want the police to know for sure who this person was - what if it's as on simple (non -violent and natural) of dying in your sleep?

What if it' s not simple?  I live and sleep 15 feet away and my pets also within reach of guests -another reason if I am allowing a total stranger or a group of total strangers I want the best way we have to trace who they really are.

I have a story - Ive  been trying to write here but my computer keeps "blue-ing" it out (err asing it.) So not for now - lets just say a drunk male guest appeared in my room at 3 am - luckily his intentions were "innocent" if not drunkingly illogical - he was without the key to his room and didn't want to wake his sleeping travel companion!

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