account removal /deletion of listings without my permission

[Thomas4369]

Hello - I have been an airbnb host for over 8 years. Then three weeks ago my account was deactivated. I appealed. No outcome was received but in the meantime i learnt that they had basically removed all my listings from my account and all historic payment data such that I was left with just a travel account with just my legal name, email address, and phone number on the account details. They then tried to claim that my 'old' account had been deleted. They are now making me proved that i ever had another account yet all this info should be right at their fingertips. Clearly, they are trying to wear me down.  Any suggestions other than the small claims court? Given that all my revenue data is no longer accessible I will not be able to do my tax return.

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

Did you have a previous listing for the same property and recently created a new listing?

[Thomas4369]

No - only ever had one account 

[Thomas4369]

But I believe Airbnb may have created a new account without my permission - strange thing is the ‘new’ account uses the same email and phone number as my ‘old’ account 

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

I don't believe that is possible @Thomas4369 . Is there someone else who has your password and/or access to your account? Do you have a Co Host or property manager that has access to your account?

Is this property sublet (you don't own it) but are subletting it on Airbnb?

Did you have a previous listing and then opened a new one?

I would change your password immediately.

[Thomas4369]

You clearly work for Airbnb/ are an ai bot 

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

Nope...not a bot. Just been doing this long enough to understand the platform and have seen quite a few things when assisting Hosts in my consulting business. 

BTW, I noticed you didn't respond to the possible scenarios I mentioned that could have caused the suspension? 🤔 

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

Nope...don't work for Airbnb either. I'm a Co Host and also have a short and mid-term rental consulting business. 

[Thomas4369]

Many thanks. Well the reason I came to this forum is precisely because Airbnb has breached its own rules. I have not opened a new account or closed an old account. I have only ever had one account. I have not made any new listings in the last two years. So how can it be that as Airbnb claim, a new account was opened on 15 July? Kind y, Tom

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

We are trying to point you in the right direction. Calling someone a "bot" or stating (in a negative way) "you must work for Airbnb" is not a good way to get help. 🙄

Do you own the property or are you subletting as a tenant and someone else owns the property?

If I had to guess...I can think of several scenarios....

It's possible someone hacked your account or created a fake listing. This is why I suggested changing your password and the other steps. If you had a Co Host or property manager, they could be where you should start looking. 

Once Airbnb sees 2 accounts with the same address, they will close one down as a duplicate, as having 2 accounts is against their Circumvention policy. I would start searching Airbnb in your area and see if there is a fake listing using your photos and info. Airbnb tagged your listing as the "duplicate" and closed it. I'm guessing there is another fake listing out there or one of the other possible reasons.

It could also be that Airbnb had determined that your account was not a duplicate, but had some other issues (outlined below) that gave them concerns. It could also be that there is someone out their claiming your account was the "fake one" or operating in violation of a lease agreement (you were a tenant and not authorized to sublet) and theirs is actually the legitimate listing.

Suspending Accounts

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/432

[Helen3]

How rude @Thomas4369  giving this sort of response to someone trying to help you.  @Joan2709  Is a highly experienced cohost . Not. A bot or someone working for Airbnb.

[Helen3]

Possible reasons 

1. 4.6 or lower ratings 

2. 2 or 3 , low reviews consecutively 

3. a guest complaint about a listing or safety complaint 

4 . issues with ID

5. Setting up duplicate listings to hide poor reviews 

@Thomas4369 

[Thomas4369]

Whatever their reasons they should at least communicate them in detail and allow the host to delete his own account.

[Joan2709]

@Thomas4369 

Actually, Airbnb doesn't need your permission to suspend/delete a listing. They can do that at any time for violations of their Terms of Service, or any of their policies. Most times they do get around to notifying the Host after their investigation is complete:

Suspending Accounts

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/432

[Thomas4369]

They can deactivate. They can’t delete. This would be in breach of data protection act