By: Terry McGovern

Terry McGovern — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 10:10:58 +0000

I am also having trouble with the verification process. I have been a member of AirBnB for over 12 months and have recently booked two properties without question. When trying to book a third, I was asked to verify my identity. I copied my Driver’s Licence and it was accepted without problem but I don’t have any social media accounts. The instructions said to upload a short personal video so I did. It went through its saving process then returned to the same screen with the video and two buttons, a red one labeled “New Video” and a clear one saying “Delete existing video” with no indication that the original had been uploaded or rejected or what would happen next. I assumed that there was something wrong with the first video as the New Video button was red, so I took another video (three times) with the same result. I then decided I needed help but couldn’t find an email address to contact or a phone number to ring and the help menu was pathetic. I eventually used the feedback link and, even though the screen said the feedback was to improve their service and not directly answer emails, I received a reply from Elayne somewhere on US Central Standard Time (I’m in Australia and it was well after midnight) after about an hour. I was told that the video would be checked out by their “Trust and Safety” team and the process would take 24 hours. That was 3 days ago and my validation still says that I have not completed and have one item to go. In the meantime, I have tried to book the property twice, thinking the validation would come through, but it has timed out twice (after they took my money – I at least got an email saying it would be refunded in full, but the bank was slow and it would take up to 5 working days). I have tried responding to the email from a real person that I got telling me all was OK, but it was returned as “this address does not accept emails” – Some help system. I’ve been bitten once and I don’t think I’ll be jumping in the AirBnB cage again.

Comments on: Giving up on Airbnb Verification Process to Book Bungalow

By: Terry McGovern