Comments on: Airbnb Put Me in Identification Verification Hell

By: Farina Mitchell

Farina Mitchell — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 21:56:52 +0000

Agreed, I stopped using them about 2 years ago for the same reason. No one should have an electronic copy of your photo id stored on their system.
It is a simple violation of the Australian Privacy Principles. In the AirBNB T&Cs, despite all the nice words about respecting privacy and building trust, there is *nothing* that states what AirBNB will do *when* (not if) your personal information is leaked or misused by AirBNB or “a trusted third party”. If AirBNB would guarantee liquidated damages *when* personal information is leaked/misused, I would have some trust in them. The problem is not necessarily AirBNB, it is that they have no capability of controlling the information and it is not in their interest to become accountable for the privacy of your information. More people need to refuse to hand over private information that can be misused or leaked so that, over time, businesses understand that they *should* become accountable, or stop asking for unrestricted use of private information without enforceable safeguards.

By: Janice Newcomb

Janice Newcomb — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:18:03 +0000

I have experienced the exact situation. I refuse to do any future business with Airbnb and regret I ever signed up. Run run run as fast as you can away from this company.

By: AUD T

AUD T — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 21:52:02 +0000

Wish I had came across this site before I opened account with this dodgy company. I encountered the ID verification hell/scam as you described – after you provided one piece of information, the system asks for more and never ending. It is like applying for a top US security clearance with FBI. There is no way to delete any PSI (personal sensitive information) you entered and there is no way to contact a real human about any question/concern you have on the PSI. I doubt deleting the account will wipe your PSI out, just wait till AirBnB got hacked and all your PSI got comprised.

This is a doggy company operating with a scammer mentality. The cost “savings” advertised are not worth the stress and worries they impose on unsuspecting customers after luring them to hand over their PSI. Buyers beware.

By: Susie Ericson

Susie Ericson — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 15:58:22 +0000

Ditto this. AirBnB is way out of line in your case, as they were with me as well. And it appears that there is no way to remedy this.

I am angry and upset, like you.

AirBnB needs to wise up.