I was scammed by an Airbnb Host

[Yi-Ting5]

I was scammed by this Airbnb Host, the story is long so please bear with me.  I have checked in early into this place in Edinburgh on 6th September 2022, the posting pictures look good but omg the apartment block itself is sketchy af. There's someone that look like a druggie that keep knocking on our door, we couldn't take it so we contacted the host and she was happy with a full refund upon cancellation, Airbnb support approved this as well. Just after I have finished my trip in UK, when I was checking my mailbox, I saw this email of Airbnb which was sent on 13th September 2022 where the host has filled for a damage property report and asking for an reimbursement of the same exact amount of the rent. 

I am so mad because the host didn't even put a picture of the thing that got stolen, instead she just use her advertisement picture and circle out the stuff I have apparently stolen. I have contacted Airbnb on this but yet to get a conclusion. I'm so annoyed at this host as she failed to disclose the condition of the property at her first place, and then trying to make us pay for her missing items which we did not steal. Not to mention that she only filled it 7 days after we have checked out of the property. A lot of stuff can happen in 7 days, her other guests could have steal it, her neighbor could have steal them, the constructions worker could have break into her property through her window and steal her stuff. 

We then went on a trip with a tour agent on 7th September 2022 at 9am which is impossible for us to bring alone the stuff that she claimed that we have stolen. I honestly have no idea what I can do now. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Yi-Ting5 try to put this behind you for now and just refute any claims by the host. You could ask your bank for a new credit card (it will come with a new security code but everything else the same) so Airbnb can't just take money from you. I don't think they will though.

Unlike Airbnb any police action will start with a presumption of innocence. Unless the host has proof of theft it is more likely she will end up accused of perjury than you will be found guilty of theft. 

Do keep us informed how things go.

[Yi-Ting5]

Update: The host managed to removed my review, I don't know why Airbnb allows this. I have read the review policy and my comment does not seem to violate any of the policy. 

 

**[Private conversation removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

 

  

[Huma0]

@Yi-Ting5 

The ambassador's message doesn't even make sense, but perhaps that's just down to poor English. First, she says that the host 'wanted to remove his review for you' and then later refers to you as if you were the host, saying that one bad review wouldn't put her off booking with you as you have lots of other nice reviews. As far as I can see, you only have one review on your profile, and not from this host?

Honestly, how on earth can we trust Airbnb CS to handle situations like this if they can't even get the basic facts straight?!

[Yi-Ting5]

@Huma0 I keep asking as of which part of my review violated the policy but the customer service wouldn't answer me and say that it's a a safety guideline ALTHOUGH I'm the one who wrote that review. They won't even let me know exactly which policy I have violated. Personally I just feel that Airbnb is siding with the hosts and ignoring their guest's safety...

[Yi-Ting5]

Well, I guess Airbnb customer service really need to improve more. 

The fact that I was not made aware that there is another host at all and I have never speak or chat to another host. So exactly who I intimidated? A ghost??

**[Private conversation removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Yi-Ting5]

Here's my full conversation if anyone would like to have a read. Personally, I don't think that I was anyhow violence to my host despite knowing that a property damaged report was filed. 

**[Private conversation removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Huma0]

@Yi-Ting5 

I don't know if that's all of the message thread, but I can't see anything intimidating in your correspondence and I also don't see any mention of this other host.

Just wondering, is it possible you left the door open? It seems to me that someone could have burgled the flat after you left. You mentioned not feeling safe in the apartment building and the other guest's review that you posted here makes it sound like there were some very dodgy characters there.

[Yi-Ting5]

@Huma0 I actually went back up to the flat and tried the locks again after putting back the keys into the lockbox. I'm not sure if anyone picked the lock after I left but the pictures she sent in the property damaged form are actually pictures from her advertisement on Airbnb. She just circled out the stuff that was gone and attach the payment receipt of the items. I'm not ruling out the possibility of the flat got burgled after I left, but at least put some actual pictures of the flat itself after the crime. Not to mention she also put two scented candles in the report, honestly if my place got robbed the candles will be the last thing on my mind. She didn't want to provide a police report to me makes it very suspicious. 

I don't mind sending a video of my chat with her to show that it's everything in the screenshot but I'm not sure if I can post any videos here.

[Huma0]

@Yi-Ting5 

Yeah, the scented candles thing is definitely weird. I love my scented candles (and some can be quite expensive), but it's an odd thing to put on a damage claim where TVs and the like supposedly went missing...

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Yi-Ting5 Can you remember what your review said?

[Yi-Ting5]

@Mike-And-Jane0 I don't exactly remember but it was similar to this review that was successfully posted on her listing, the extra stuff I mentioned is about the host filing a damage property report without informing me at the first place then refuse to provide a police report which is suspicious. 

[Huma0]

@Yi-Ting5 

I have read several times on this forum that Airbnb sometimes remove reviews if they mention a resolution dispute, so that might have been the reason.

[Yi-Ting5]

@Huma0 Oh, I did mentioned about that, but the policy didn't state that I can't disclose the resolution dispute ...

[Huma0]

@Yi-Ting5 

No, I haven't seen it officially mentioned in an Airbnb policy, just heard people say that here. So, I don't know if it's true or not. It probably depends on the CS rep handling it as they often seem to make random decisions and even sometimes tell users their decision is in line with an 'internal policy' not publicly published anywhere.

[Helen744]

@Yi-Ting5 did you mention to the host 'the druggie who kept knocking on the door" why was he knocking on the door . ? H