Guests who book without verified ID

[Sally436]

Hi,

I’m new to hosting. I have put on ‘instant book’ for people with verified ID’s. I’m finding that I’m getting a lot of overseas bookings for people that have verified ID’s via emails and phone numbers rather than actual photo ID. Should I be worried about this? Does anyone else worry about this? Do you ever ask for copies of passports or anything? I just feel like I’m having people stay in my home and I have no access to details of who they actually are. 

Perhaps just new hositing jitters!! 

Thanks all,

Sally 

[Donna240]

i think we place too much faith in "verified" I.D. They match a name with an email and a name with a phone number, so who's to say someone didn't create these out of thin air. People can put in any photo they want and there is no way to verify that without seeing it and the person side by side. I think you (we) have to go by the email discussions we have with the guest. But for some time I have wondered why we don't take a photo I.D. upon arrival and make a photocopy. Hotels around the world do that. As far as overseas guests go, my guests from Europe, New Zealand and Austrailia, Israel and South America have been very respectful of my property and very eager to engage, so I have no worries about them. I think anyone who travels overseas and comes here from there would not be surprised if you asked for an ID.

[Rachel177]

@Sally436 have you got government issued ID ticked in your booking requirements for guests? If you have this  you shouldn't be getting anyone using instant book without government ID being provided to airbnb.

You also might want to tighten up your house rules to state this in case any slip through the cracks. I've copied some of my house rules below so you can get an idea of what to put. Those rules have allowed me to cancel without penalty when I've had third party bookings or people who did not want to provide guest details.

I only accept bookings from guests who have completed their full ID verification with Airbnb and have a clear profile picture.

For bookings of 2 people, the full name of the second guest must be provided at the time of booking (and a link to their Airbnb profile if they have one).

I do not accept third party bookings.

No outside guests, only those named on the booking are allowed on the premises.

[Gordon0]

@Sally436 - I think there's an element of new-hosting jitters. I naturally assumed I'd be murdered in my bed at the begining, but it didn't happen. I'd say dialogue/conversation is the help here; make sure you contact any would-be guests to get a better picture (NPI) about them/their trip etc. As for asking for a passport copy, this is only permitted in countries which require them by law.  

The problem is, @Rachel177, much of your requirements aren't contractually binding (assuming would-be guests actually read it), so if somebody books and doesn't comply, you'll be the one who gets dinged when the cancellation is approved by CS.   

[Rachel177]

@Gordon0 I haven't lost superhost status or been penalised for the 3 third party bookings that I cancelled through CS. I've found that since I updated my house rules & started emailing them to guests when theyve booked I've had no third party bookings, no one bringing in extra guests (which is a big no for me as a solo female host). It seems to have warned off the dodgy guests.

[Lili1186]

@Rachel177 I'm in the same situation like you, but don't know yet how to update my house & booking rules to be 100% save, can you explain a bit please?

What if you accepted a booking, but after the acceptation you've got a bad feeling about it? I've got a couple who reserved with a profile since 2015 , but no reviews , no clear picture, no previous stays. I think this is outmost weird. I Can't find a Facebook account matching neither. 

Can I ask Airbnb to do a profile check and a Creditcard check/validation? How and where?

Thank you for your help!

[Sally436]

Sill question - what is CS?

thanks for the responses all, gives me a bit to think about! 

[Gordon0]

Customer Service, @Sally436. Rookie 🙂

[Sally436]

Haha! Such a rookie 🙂 thank you! 

[Larry339]

I recently posted the same issue, and I have copied it for you.

A host may have a requirement that Government Identification is on file with Airbnb for instant bookings, but bookings will still go through without the ID on record. The only explanation I have had from Airbnb is that some hosts are OK with this. 

Instant booking does seem to help in the rankings and get you more bookings, so rather than complain, I send this saved message below to guests without ID on file immediately after getting the booking. I have used it at least half a dozen times, and all guests have uploaded their ID to date. To clarify, my instant booking is on, and as a host, I do request government photo identification.

The lesson I have learned is that most guests want to comply and do the right thing. Also, as a host, using saved messages is an incredible time-saver that helps you be a better host and run a smoother business.

Saved Message I send to guests

The Airbnb system has, in error, permitted you to instant book without meeting host requirements. Please be sure that you have a government ID on file with Airbnb before your arrival to avoid a last-minute cancellation.

These steps may help you go through the process to take a photo of your Government identification and upload it to Airbnb. The details are confidential and remain private with Airbnb. It does confirm for hosts that your identity is verified, and that makes it easier for hosts to accept your booking request.
If you are working on a computer, it may display this way.
Click on the top right photo. It brings up a dropdown menu.

Click on Account

It should display Account Settings. It displays information in separate boxes. Click on Personal info box>

Scroll down this page to Government ID and follow the instructions to take a photo and upload to Airbnb

If you are using your smartphone, it may display this way.

Click on your Airbnb profile it should be on the lower right, then
Click on personal information
It will show as edit profile.
There will be a Government ID item on this list. Click on Government ID The application will prompt you through the photo process. Let me know if you have any problems.