How do we know the cancellation withdraw of funds is legit?

[Stephen18]

My last payment had a deduction of $100 for a canellation, but If I only get paid after the check-in how can there be a cancellation fee if there was no payment received? How do I know who the cancellation is referring to to make sure it's legit?

[Clare0]

@Stephen18 Looks like the $100 cancellation penalty was the result of cancelling Juan's reservation as it was 4 days before his arrival. 

This penalty is taken out of your next reservation payout which apparently you have already seen.  How do you know it's legit?  It's in this help article: 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/990/how-do-host-cancellation-penalties-work

When a host cancels, Airbnb not only refunds the guest but gives them an additional 10%.  They also attempt to find other listings for the guest.  My guess is that the $100 penalty is there not only to deter hosts from cancelling but also to cover Airbnb's cost of refunding / relocating the guest. 

I hope this answers your question, but if not please expand on your query.