airbnb - a warning

**Eevo** · 18th May 2017, 02:27 AM

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** · 18th May 2017, 06:22 AM

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

**67hardtop** · 18th May 2017, 07:46 AM

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** · 18th May 2017, 08:22 AM

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** · 18th May 2017, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 18th May 2017, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 18th May 2017, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Eevo

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.

Arc or MIG?

**loanrangie** · 18th May 2017, 10:58 AM

Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch

.

**strangy** · 18th May 2017, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch

.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

That would be a fairly unique skill set.

Arc or MIG?

So could that be an "oxy-moron"...

**pop058** · 18th May 2017, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

That would be a fairly unique skill set.

Arc or MIG?

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Thanks Ian, i 'm picturing a viking holding an acetylene torch

.

Originally Posted by strangy

So could that be an "oxy-moron"...

Touche, monsieur Eevo, touche

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