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!

[Gail131]

I was going to use abb for the first time but after having difficulty because of ID that has to be sent makes me leary. I understand protecting the host buy what about the guest don't think I will go this route to book a room. ABB may be hurting themselves and their hosts.

[Pavel36]

I just experienced total nightmare with Airbnb. They allowed me to make a reservation, and only AFTER the host approved it Airbnb restricted access to my account and demanded government ID verification. Interestingly, they somehow managed to verify my identity without government ID and restored the access to my account after four days of numerous e-mails, messages and calls, but it was too late for my trip. Coincidentally enough, the access restoration and identity verification happened after I opened the credit card dispute.

I described it more fully here:

AirBnb holds my booking hostage, requires government ID and my Facebook/Google/LinkedIn contacts

I totally agree with majority of this thread, the verification with government ID is data-mining, total violation of privacy, and just a step away from a disaster, when, not if, the hacker attack will occur.

I was using Airbnb since 2014. After this, I will definitely switch my future booking to other companies, because now I would never know when Airbnb suddenly decides to "verify" my identity again.

[Maryjane18]

Just found out about this "new" requirement now. I have a trip booked and paid for in the end of March to Lisbon. I will not be uploading my Goverment ID to their site. How dare they. This is sadly my fourth and final time using Airbnb. I can say is this better not screw up my planned trip.

[Carrol1]

When did this request for government ID start? I last used Airbnb in August 2017 and was not asked for it. My daughter used Airbnb extensively in 2016 and was never asked. I am reluctant to book accomodation with them at this point

[Pavel36]

Looks like it started in 2013. Hovewer, I had been using Airbnb since 2014, but Airbnb demanded it from me only in February 2018. 

[Judy235]

Others takes credit card details online, whats better?

[Pavel36]

One could easily close credit card when there is a hacker attack with just one call to the credit card support, but how easy is it to change a driver's license or passport? 

[Jane267]

You can't.  So unless you want your identity stolen do NOT gives these numbers out.

[Barbara519]

Even with a credit card it is a big pain to change recurring charges, go without the card until a new one arrives, etc.  It's worse than that.  airbnb has a "partner" whose privacy policy essentially says they can do whatever they want with our data.  Of course they are making money by selling it!

[Jennifer851]

I have used Airbnb for years but when I was booking something last night I was asked to give my ID. There is no way that I am putting my passport or licence anywhere on line. I will now start using booking.com very disappointed.

[Susan975]

I feel exactly the same way!

[Marsha44]

VRBO does not require ID from its guests......

[Susan975]

Ahh, thank you. that was going to be my next step!

[James754]

I booked in Australia recently where some hosts wanted it, but I booked with others who didn't.

However when I tried to book the other day it was now a requirement. Have used Air BNB over the years extensively, but there is no way they get the infor requested. All sorts of these companies are getting their sites hacked and mined including Equifax and Yahoo.

This arrogance and invasion of ones privacy is completely unacceptable on the part of Air BNB

and my policy is not to divulge this private information. 😉  Getting too big for their britches it appears. Jim

[Susan975]

Agree totally, James. The customer service rep. kept telling me that their systems are totally safe, and they are a big company. I said, yeah, so are Target and Equifax, and they've been hacked.