Verified ID: how safe is it and how can I check the linked information?

[Isabelle134]

Hello

I am getting hosting enquiries from guests who have verified IDs but no reviews or previous records of using Airbnb.

On one occasion I could check the guest myself by using their full name and finding basic info online (such as Facebook), which helped me decide to trust them.

On another occasion, I can't find the slightest bit of information about the guests, as they're coming from abroad and have not supplied full names. They have a 'verified ID', but how safe is this? Includes LinkedIn, but I can't actually find them up there. How far can I trust Airbnb? Is it customary to request the guest to direct me to their LinkedIn info (for instance)?

Thank you
IC

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Verified just means they have shown Airbnb something that proves who they are. Airbnb are not obliged to show that to you. Verification isn't proof of anyone's past or future behaviour. Neither is the fact that Simone has a Facebook profile any guarantee of anything, other than they have a FB account.

At the end of the day it's down to how you feel about the guest - if you feel uncomfortable then decline.

[Robin4]

@Isabelle134 @Gerry-And-Rashid0 @Zandra0 ....I am definitely starting to get more than a bit jittery after the experience of @Nathan35 where his house has been professionally 'cleaned out' by a gang using a fake verification ID that was almost instantly exposed, and brought to Airbnb's attention, by another host......and that person with the verification is still visible with a false profile on Airbnb weeks later!!

It appears that if what has happened to Nisim can happen that easily, the whole verfication process is nothing more than 'lip service' 

Isabelle, I will not place to much credence in Airbnb's verification process and I would probably advise you to do the same. Do your own vetting of potential guests and trust your gut feeling....If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck....it probably is a duck!!

Cheers.....Rob

[Zandra0]

I guess at one point you two had verified ID but no reviews or record of having used Airbnb as a host / guest. We all have to start somewhere 🙂

As previous posters have said, verified ID will only get you so far so don't allow it to give you a false sense of security.

We hosts use a combination of factors (verified ID, previous reviews, and response to questions) to determine if we'd like to host someone but at the end of the day nothing is fail safe.

[Isabelle134]

I'm not asking for the ultimate sense of safety, this is not the point of this discussion. As a fairly new host I am trying to establish my own safety rules. Right now I just don't see that 'verified ID' actually means anything... or does it???

Then I have zero information on a potential guest group. Is it ok to ask them for their LinkedIn ID? Do I turn them down on grounds that they are not providing enough info? Do I make up another excuse? These are the points I am thinking about.

[Linda108]

Hello @Isabelle134.  Welcome to Air BNB.  Until you have a bit more experience, I would suggest you only accept guests with at least one review, which can require even with Instant Book.  It takes a while to develop a sense about the travelers who will be seeking to stay at your place.  Most experienced  hosts develop certain questions they ask new guests during the pre approval process.  Sometimes just the process of asking a few questions such as -" what brings you this area" or " Are you traveling with anyone else, if so what are the full names" - will screen new Air BNB guests that are not suited to the Air BNB shared experience.  Hope you find this business as great as many of us have.  

[Isabelle134]

Thank you Linda, this is helpful. I guess I should think of a few questions to ask, just not done that before and didn't want to be intrusive. Previously people have been telling me a bit about themselves without me asking. This new one is almost a total blank, which feels strange. Will message them and see what the response is.

[Zandra0]

What constitutes enough info for you?

As a host you've gone through the verified ID process yourself so you already understand what's required there.

We've advised that it isn't foolproof. You've responded saying that isn't what the discussion is about? So, I guess what is this about? Why are you interested in names and linked in accounts if it isn't to verify that the person is who they say they are and are safe to have in your house ?

Bear in mind we are all hosts here with your best interests at heart which is why we are pointing out flaws in the system.

[Christine1]

Ask them whatever is reasonable in order for you to to feel safe, if you don't get the information you want, then let it go, and don't approve the request.

BTW, linkedin profiles are easy to fake, so have a proper conversation in addition to this type of info and use the internet to cross check if needs be.

It's ok to ask. Sometimes you will get information about events, or locations, friend and family connections that are not easy to fake and much easier than Linkedin to verify yourself. eg we are attending the xyz of a friend in such and such a location. I get a lot of these type of requests and local situations are really easy to verify.

Regards, Christine.

[Isabelle134]

Cheers Christine. I've not really had to ask for info before, guests have more or less always told me why they were coming over, or why they chose my place. So I need to instigate a 'proper conversation' myself this time, which somehow feels a bit strange but, you're right, is what I need to do. Will work something out. Thanks.

[Sharon114]

Becoming a host is really 'a leap of faith'.  There can never be a 100% guarantee that everything will go without a hitch. When we first considered hosting (it was suggested to us by one of our sons who had used it extensively around the world) we made a point of researching as much as possible, using the airbnb website and looking at other listings in our area for an insight into what we might expect.

Our very first guest - a wonderful, well travelled, lady from Australia - booked a 5 night stay with us.  We had no reviews but she took us on trust, as we did her.  She had reviews but it was still a new experience for us to have a stranger stay in our home.

Over the past 13 months we have hosted a great many first time users and have, so far, had no problems whatsoever.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  We don't make the assumption that no reviews means the guest is not to be trusted.

The quality of the communication between you at the outset is a good indication of how things will turn out.

Good luck with your hosting.

[David126]

I assumed that the benefit is limited, somebody could put in spurious infortmation. But better than nothing.

[Isabelle134]

Cheers. I have hosted some first timers and have no issue with this in principle, I agree we all have to start somewhere. What seems to come out through this discussion is that there could (or should) be more communication between those new guests and myself. There was one message exchanged, but now it's stalled and I'm left with all those questions. I'll get back to them and hopefully can make up my mind.

[Andrea9]

Hi @Isabelle134,

Verified ID (when guests have that checked-off green badge) means they had to additionally upload some kind of (gov'ment) ID. Oftentimes that alone will then keep many from any funny business, but real crooks will always find a way around that. Since you rent out a room in your home instead of a non-supervised rental somewhere else you'll be pretty safe from anybody who is out for robbing a place unsupervised.

Here's an interesting Forbes article addressing guests, but which I've found give a good opportunity to do some copy/pasting while being able to refer to a 3rd source. I've used it here and there if somebody made a minimal inquiry ('is it available')without any information in their profile: "I see you're new to Airbnb maybe you didn't know Airbnb is based on trust between host and guest? Forbes put it really well ......."

[Kelly87]

Read this thread. 

Note, Verified ID guest

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Hosts/6-400-THEFT-NO-RESPONSE-FROM-AIRBNB-AIRBNB-HOSTS-DID-SOMETHING...