Post by High Priestess on Nov 15, 2015 15:13:44 GMT
See this article about scams some Airbnb users have suffered.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/14/airbnb-users-claim-website-fails-protect-them-scammerson
ANother article:
www.express.co.uk/finance/crusader/619580/Room-Airbnb-improve-website-Crusader-finance-business
"Airbnb faces accusations that it is leaving its users vulnerable to fraud after previously unseen figures revealed that a growing number of people have fallen victim to scammers while trying to book a break via the British arm of the holiday rental website.
In the first nine months of this year the number of people in the UK who reported that they had been defrauded on the website was 687, or at least two a day, double that of the whole of 2014, according to Action Fraud. This was more than five times higher than two years ago."
"on the website take many forms, according to Action Fraud, the national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. These range from fake listings to “phishing” emails attempting to gain access to users’ personal details. However, the most common involve fraudsters advertising properties for rent on Airbnb without the owner’s knowledge, then convincing site users to transfer money straight into their bank accounts.
Jane Jones, 43, lost nearly £5,000 after booking a villa for 10 people for a two-week summer stay in Mallorca via the website. “We followed the advice on the site and contacted the ‘host’ by telephone and email on numerous occasions,” she said. “We asked about the area, dates and price and were reassured as much as we could be that the property was genuine.” She only began to worry when the “host” asked her to pay the £4,552 cost upfront. “But we were advised by Airbnb to go ahead and pay in full, which gave us immense confidence that we were doing the right thing,” she said.
Jones received an invoice via email, which carried the Airbnb logo, saying she would receive confirmation of the booking within 48 hours and unwittingly paid the bill directly to the fraudsters. “We didn’t get any confirmation, and found out from Airbnb a few days later there was no record of our payment. Citizens Advice tried to help us chase a refund after Airbnb washed its hands of the situation, but we got nowhere.”
Ian Bailey, 65, is another victim. He booked a £600, four-night stay in Bayswater, west London, on Airbnb for a friend and her two daughters. “They turned up at the apartment to find there was nobody there,” he said. “I went on to Airbnb as a new customer and had no idea about the safety issues involved. I found a place and contacted the host, who confirmed availability and told me to wait to hear from Airbnb."
“I wasn’t suspicious when I got an email from Airbnb with the official logo advising me that the booking was confirmed and how to pay.
“As much as being scammed, I’m annoyed Airbnb didn’t want to know. Since then it’s been confirmed that the account I transferred money to has been emptied, so I couldn’t reclaim anything.”
Jessica Adams, 27,also a first-time user, lost £670 when she booked two nights in Amsterdam in August. “I logged into the Airbnb app and went straight to the search page, with no warning instructions on how to use the site. You just trust the website as it’s so well-known.”
She says she found a “beautiful apartment”, which the website said was listed by a verified host, who she then contacted to ask about the finer details. She added: “I’m staggered how little Airbnb cares about the safety and satisfaction of its customers – I’ve not had a penny back.”
"Andrew Leakey, head of dispute resolution at Stephensons solicitors, said: “Airbnb needs to act immediately and make it absolutely clear to its users that they shouldn’t transfer money to a third-party bank account. At present the site is particularly vulnerable to abuse by fraudsters.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/14/airbnb-users-claim-website-fails-protect-them-scammerson
ANother article:
www.express.co.uk/finance/crusader/619580/Room-Airbnb-improve-website-Crusader-finance-business
"Airbnb faces accusations that it is leaving its users vulnerable to fraud after previously unseen figures revealed that a growing number of people have fallen victim to scammers while trying to book a break via the British arm of the holiday rental website.
In the first nine months of this year the number of people in the UK who reported that they had been defrauded on the website was 687, or at least two a day, double that of the whole of 2014, according to Action Fraud. This was more than five times higher than two years ago."
"on the website take many forms, according to Action Fraud, the national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. These range from fake listings to “phishing” emails attempting to gain access to users’ personal details. However, the most common involve fraudsters advertising properties for rent on Airbnb without the owner’s knowledge, then convincing site users to transfer money straight into their bank accounts.
Jane Jones, 43, lost nearly £5,000 after booking a villa for 10 people for a two-week summer stay in Mallorca via the website. “We followed the advice on the site and contacted the ‘host’ by telephone and email on numerous occasions,” she said. “We asked about the area, dates and price and were reassured as much as we could be that the property was genuine.” She only began to worry when the “host” asked her to pay the £4,552 cost upfront. “But we were advised by Airbnb to go ahead and pay in full, which gave us immense confidence that we were doing the right thing,” she said.
Jones received an invoice via email, which carried the Airbnb logo, saying she would receive confirmation of the booking within 48 hours and unwittingly paid the bill directly to the fraudsters. “We didn’t get any confirmation, and found out from Airbnb a few days later there was no record of our payment. Citizens Advice tried to help us chase a refund after Airbnb washed its hands of the situation, but we got nowhere.”
Ian Bailey, 65, is another victim. He booked a £600, four-night stay in Bayswater, west London, on Airbnb for a friend and her two daughters. “They turned up at the apartment to find there was nobody there,” he said. “I went on to Airbnb as a new customer and had no idea about the safety issues involved. I found a place and contacted the host, who confirmed availability and told me to wait to hear from Airbnb."
“I wasn’t suspicious when I got an email from Airbnb with the official logo advising me that the booking was confirmed and how to pay.
“As much as being scammed, I’m annoyed Airbnb didn’t want to know. Since then it’s been confirmed that the account I transferred money to has been emptied, so I couldn’t reclaim anything.”
Jessica Adams, 27,also a first-time user, lost £670 when she booked two nights in Amsterdam in August. “I logged into the Airbnb app and went straight to the search page, with no warning instructions on how to use the site. You just trust the website as it’s so well-known.”
She says she found a “beautiful apartment”, which the website said was listed by a verified host, who she then contacted to ask about the finer details. She added: “I’m staggered how little Airbnb cares about the safety and satisfaction of its customers – I’ve not had a penny back.”
"Andrew Leakey, head of dispute resolution at Stephensons solicitors, said: “Airbnb needs to act immediately and make it absolutely clear to its users that they shouldn’t transfer money to a third-party bank account. At present the site is particularly vulnerable to abuse by fraudsters.”
