Hi Forum
I am writing this here to help + warn.
I wanted to warn here that there is a prolific scam happening where hosts properties are being presented as long term rental opportunities external to Airbnb in order to get money. I can see has happened to many people through Airbnb yet Airbnb deny knowledge. It begins with a guest with no reviews making a booking. (Best way to avoid this is always take guests with reviews + do not use instant book). Once the booking is confirmed your Airbnb photos are used on the fake agents site. They then get in touch with various potential tenants organising a viewing on the day of their Airbnb booking. In my case this was all done by someone called **. When the booked guest arrives on the booked day they clear all surfaces + rephotograph. They reposting over the original ones on their agency site to look vacant. The potentials clients then all came through my property from 3-5pm. I have videos from one of them with the guest in clear frame. Once all the potential clients have left they put a rodent on the floor + photograph (a gerbil in my case which is not native to uk so therefore not a free roaming pest only a pet). Once they exit they then make a pest claim + receive their refund without any discussion with the host (I had no contact from Airbnb at any point until a message informed me a week later he had be reimbursed). I then returned the next day to find all my belongings hidden, items broken + stolen. My neighbour then told me he had spoken with the visitors + they had all said they were there for rental viewings. I have since had 3 separate people finding me by searching my flat on Airbnb. After having to tell them the reality they have then told me the money that has been taken from them. Collectively it is around £20k.
To the hosts - has anyone managed to get any refund from Airbnb for the pest claim as I am utterly appalled they cannot see the bigger picture + supported the violated host. Policies are one thing but humanity + morality are quite another!
Thank you for your time.
**[Name hidden due to privacy concerns - Community Center Guidelines]
