airbnb - a warning

[Eevo]

so i feel very stupid.. wish i could wind the clock back 30min

im taking a 4day holiday in victoria
i had heard good things about airbnb, so i get on their website and found a place to stay for 3 nights. i make my booking and pay by credit card. all good, just like a hotel.

then (only after ive made a booking), does it tell me i need to verify myself. ok fair enough i think, it probably wants a phone number

step 1: verify your phone number. ok done
step 2: upload a selfie. ok done.
step 3: upload drivers licence. ok done.
step 4: link an online profile such as facebook or linkedin. ok done

great. im verified. whats the issue you ask?

airbnb outsources its identification verification to a 3rd party which is US based. it is stated upfront its done by a 3rd party, but i didnt really click til i finished.

problem number 1: how is a selfie prove who i am? the actual photo i used wouldn't identify me as im wearing a helmet

problem number 2: how is a US company able to access south australian government issues drivers licence records? it cant. but now it has a copy of my name, photo, DOB and address.

problem number 3: why is a credit card not good enough for verification? the bank verification system is very robust and requires a proper 100 points of id

problem number 4: how is linking a online profile prove of who i am? all it proves is that i created that profile.

problem number 5: information i just gave out: name, DOB, photo, address, CC, linkedin profile, email address, phone number. more than enough to commit identity fraud.


first and last time i use airbnb, but the damage is already done.

[NavyDiver]

Used it twice now. Regisration and verification is to protect the people letting you stay some times in the same house as they are. No way I would open my home to all and sundry with out a fairly vigerous verification process to hopefully exclude nefarious types. I did blink once or twice doing the verification but no issues. Your not a nefarious type are you [bigwhistle]

[67hardtop]

My friend has opened his Largs Bay top floor to air bnb. Fully self contained. Now 12 months on and starting to make a profit. Had no problems with any of the "tennants". He's loving it!

Cheers Rod

[Saitch]

Does AULRO count as an online profile? I'm not on Faecesbook or the like. Hmm, come to think of it, I don't have a credit card either so I'm off their radar.
Steve

[Eevo]

Used it twice now. Regisration and verification is to protect the people letting you stay some times in the same house as they are. No way I would open my home to all and sundry with out a fairly vigerous verification process to hopefully exclude nefarious types. I did blink once or twice doing the verification but no issues. Your not a nefarious type are you [bigwhistle]

2 points

1) what about my protection from id theft?
2) i dont have a problem with the idea, just how its implemented. also they have verified my id, not that i'm not an axe welding murderer.

[Eevo]

Does AULRO count as an online profile? I'm not on Faecesbook or the like. Hmm, come to think of it, I don't have a credit card either so I'm off their radar.
Steve
they only gave 3 options. google account, facebook and linkdin.

for some reason it didnt accept my google account but it did my linkdin.

[V8Ian]

2 points

1) what about my protection from id theft?
2) i dont have a problem with the idea, just how its implemented. also they have verified my id, not that i'm not an axe welding murderer.
That would be a fairly unique skill set. [bigwhistle]
Arc or MIG? [biggrin]

[loanrangie]

Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch [biggrin].

[strangy]

Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch [biggrin].


That would be a fairly unique skill set. [bigwhistle]
Arc or MIG? [biggrin]

So could that be an "oxy-moron"...[bigrolf]

[pop058]

That would be a fairly unique skill set. [bigwhistle]
Arc or MIG? [biggrin]


Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch [biggrin].


So could that be an "oxy-moron"...[bigrolf]


Touche, monsieur Eevo, touche [biggrin]

[Lemo]

I just booked some places for Tasmania in December and January using same and didn't have to use all the links just signed up and entered usual details like address etc.
As a little safe guard I usually create the account in my wife's name and use my credit card so have different detail.