Any other Super Hosts been locked completely out of their Account?

Been a super host for Airbnbfor many years now and was stunned recently to find that Airbnb has locked me completely out of my account. All for not submitting a copy of my government ID to a third party called Jumio.com.
I am still getting paid for reservations completed but I have no access to my reservations, communications and new bookings. I have lost several new bookings so far because I can not respond to them.
This is completely ridiculous and it shows how Airbnb grows more like the Gestapo every day.
I have been a victim of fraud before and being a security conscious person, I will not give my Photo ID to anyone to keep on their servers.
This article voices a lot of my concerns.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/kris-constable/airbnb-privacy-security-id-jumio_b_4887509.html

Here is Airbnb’s response.
Thank you for your patience while I gathered this information for you. The ID verification process is often a requirement for guests booking a hosts home (as we had discussed), but can also be required of hosts. In this particular case, it appears that the request for your ID to be verified was sent deliberately and would need to be completed to gain access to your account.

I know you had expressed concern about the security of your information, which is a very valid concern in todays world, but I can assure you that every possible step is taken to safeguard any information you share with Airbnb. We work with a third party provider to process those requests, more details about them below.

Here is a link to Jumio’s website with some information about their technology and security.
https://www.jumio.com/jumio/technology-and-security/

This help center article provides some more details regarding our security on a high-level. Based on our short call I believe that this would knowledge already available to you, but I wanted to include it for reference in case it is needed.
Is providing identification to Airbnb secure?
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/453

As Airbnb grows, so does the importance of building trust and transparency in our community. Under certain circumstances, that means we’ll ask you to complete Verified ID—even if you’ve been with us for a long time. You can read more about who’s required to complete Verified ID here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/464

As an experienced host, completing Verified ID also gives you the option to require potential guests to complete it as well: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/272.

Once this process has been completed, you would not be asked to send or verify that ID again, of course.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Since I have a limited view on many of these elements my responses might be delayed so that I can get that information to you.

If you would like time to consider your options I would be glad to temporarily unlist your property if you are concerned about missing any messages from guests or responding to inquiries. I can also send you your guests contact numbers if you need a copy of those upcoming guests contact details.

If Airbnb thinks they are the only game in town, they are crazy. I am very active on VRBO and Flipkey which get more than enough bookings. I am even thinking of renting full time to get out of this mess that gets more difficult every day.

If you have not been required to submit your ID yet how long do you think it will before they demand it from you too?

Frankly I think you are vastly over-reacting, verging on paranoia! You’ve got to show “government ID” to go in a bar and get a drink, or the grocery store to by a bottle, for Pete’s sake. If you don’t think that info about you is already out there, I advise you to get rid of all bank accounts, phone bills, cable access, sewer, water, power, automobile etc. “They” have already put your info out there…

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@Jamr

Seems to me, the following allows you to have your guests’ contact information while you are taking some “time to consider your options”:

“If you would like time to consider your options…I can also send you your guests contact numbers if you need a copy of those upcoming guests contact details.”

.

@Jamr

The Huffington post article is from 2014. Everyone is more aware of internet hacking of accounts and security has been enhanced on many websites. You may wish to seek up to date information.

If they demand my id I will provide it. I generally do what the gorilla says.
HA will also demand some proof to accept payments through their 3rd party processor, and they are tightening up on requirements too.
If you are uncomfortable then you might wish to consider also paying for a credit monitoring service for personal piece of mind.

1 Like

Nearly all platforms ask for ID. I don’t think it’s worth taking a stand about.
One of the platforms I signed up for wanted proof I was the homeowner! They didn’t want to deal with any subletters.

Exactly! So move your business to another platform or better yet, set up your own website, do your own marketing and payments collection and so on.

Other hosts have been locked out or kicked off before. It’s their platform and they can set whatever rules they want for it’s use.

Or the title of this thread could be the more explanatory “anyone else refusing to validate their hosting ID”

2 Likes

I am with @KenH on this one. Freeze your credit reports at all the credit agencies and just give Airbnb the ID.

Hello, My name is Adolph20, I want to join your group on the forum. Because I like to share ideas with several people.

You are a member. There are strict limits now on posts by new members due to recent disruptors on the forum. This is a very old thread with multiple posts by members who are no longer active so it’s been closed now. Other posts on other threads may be approved in the future.