Post by High Priestess on May 31, 2016 2:05:17 GMT
J (and family) shared on London Hosts Community Hub Feb 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-104579
Scams galore - Or just a coincidence?
Rather interesting what a browse through user profiles on this forum reveals. Lots of middle aged men who describe themselves in a strangely similar fashion (see samples below). Some even share the same photo (or, weirdly, in a couple of instances use those of children or women). And to top it all off they offer accommodation on Old Queen Street, Old Quebec Street, Oxford Street or similar central Westminster locations. I've reported a few last month as potential scam, and airbnb seemed to have to taken off listings since then, but not necessarily the host profiles. This cannot be good. What do others think?
Smith - I’ve been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Smith - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Glen - I'm a professional in my 40's from France, living and working in London. I've travelled to many parts of the world but there is no place like home and London is definitely cool! I love enjoying all the city has to offer and hope to pass this passion for home onto guests.
Omar - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Marcus - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Rock - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
David - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 26 countries!). Born in Greece but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Derek - I'm a professional in my 50's from Berlin, living and working in London, I've traveled to many parts of the world but there is no place like home and London definitely cool! I love enjoying all the city has to offer and hope to pass this passion for home onto guests.
16 comments
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Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Hello Jay
I'm pleased to know that the security team at Airbnb have struck off the suspicious account.
It does not surprise me that the accounts are still visible. What often happens when there is a security concern over a particular account is that the user can not make a booking or activate a listing until she has been verified. This can be as simple as linking a Facebook account or require them to submit to a more extensive ID check.
_
Kevin
Reply Like 1 like
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Typo correction: "Hello J"
Reply Like
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Smith', who very recently joined this group (still a photo in the top bar), has zero verifications, and an active listing.
Reply Like
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
One of the membership requirements for this group is to verification. I've removed removed that account from the group as it did not have any form of verification. Thanks Tara.
-
Kevin
Reply Like
Tara
Taraa year ago
As per J's post, there's also another 'Smith, identical profile description to the previous 'Smith' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24848456 again zero verifications.
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done.
Tara
Taraa year ago
And 'Glen' who has the same profile photo as the second 'Smith' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24937302
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done.
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Omar', zero verifications www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24780765
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
Ditto 'Marcus' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24734862
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Rock' same profile photo as 'Marcus' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/23970392
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/23456878
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
Good sleuthing, J!
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
And thanks for the links Tara. _ Kevin
Al
Ala year ago
Local authorities scour airbnb to bust hosts. We must make sure these non-verified accounts do not exist here.
Reply Like
JANET
JANETa year ago
What do you mean Al ? If you mean they ' bust' people for subletting council properties without permission (and therefore acting illegally ) well so be it. You make it sound like there's a load of us here hiding and not wanting to be caught. That's not good for the reputation of Airbnb.
Reply Like 1 reply
Al
Ala year ago
Janet, I'm not talking about subletting council flats, which are an unreformable joke anyway. It's to do with planning permission and building control; if you're in any of the major London boroughs, strictly speaking it's a breach to host people for less than 90 days. The key thing is, though, that councils don't enforce it in most circumstances, and the deregulation bill which will hopefully be passed soon, is going to restrict the power of councils to stop us from doing it in our own homes. But until then, it's still a grey area, and enforcement remains entirely at the discretion of councils. Therefore, any accounts which are unverified and potentially being used by people who have no intention of hosting on airbnb but rather trampling on the rights of homeowners, or pacifying the grudges of malicious neighbours, should be excluded.
Barbara
Barbaraa year ago
Can I just interject here - Eric and I co-organise our Group - The Scottish Community but we have to approve a request for membership. We stick to our rules - which were discussed with our members extensively - and we decided that to approve a membership the applicant had to have a facial photo (unless there were extenuating circumstances agreed by both of us), they had to have verification and a valid listing. We also trawl our members regularly and write to those that have de-listed. If we do not hear back from them - we remove their membership. It sounds harsh but our members are very happy that we run such a tight ship.
Reply Like
J (and family)
J (and family)a year ago
Thanks all
My point really was not so much about group membership as everyone can follow forum discussions with being a member, but about an obvious issue of non-genuine profiles being unnoticed by airbnb in the fist place. Not convinced this reflects well on its claim to provide a user experience based on trust. It's not really my job to scan host profiles, and I would expect better for the level of fees hosts and guests are being charged.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Tara
Taraa year ago
I agree. As you say, the fake hosts you reported no longer have active listings - but why are the profiles still up at all? They should be checking every single host, logging IP addresses, etc. It should also be compulsory to have a fully verified ID as a host.
Jude
Judea year ago
Tara -et all and Barbara I'll just double check from the outset what we do from the outset about people joining this group and let you know.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-104579
Scams galore - Or just a coincidence?
Rather interesting what a browse through user profiles on this forum reveals. Lots of middle aged men who describe themselves in a strangely similar fashion (see samples below). Some even share the same photo (or, weirdly, in a couple of instances use those of children or women). And to top it all off they offer accommodation on Old Queen Street, Old Quebec Street, Oxford Street or similar central Westminster locations. I've reported a few last month as potential scam, and airbnb seemed to have to taken off listings since then, but not necessarily the host profiles. This cannot be good. What do others think?
Smith - I’ve been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Smith - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Glen - I'm a professional in my 40's from France, living and working in London. I've travelled to many parts of the world but there is no place like home and London is definitely cool! I love enjoying all the city has to offer and hope to pass this passion for home onto guests.
Omar - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Marcus - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Rock - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 16 countries!). Born in Paris but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
David - I've been working in the Travel Industry for the last 9 years. I have travel extensively around the world (over 26 countries!). Born in Greece but have been living in London for the past 5 years.
Derek - I'm a professional in my 50's from Berlin, living and working in London, I've traveled to many parts of the world but there is no place like home and London definitely cool! I love enjoying all the city has to offer and hope to pass this passion for home onto guests.
16 comments
Follow
Like
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Hello Jay
I'm pleased to know that the security team at Airbnb have struck off the suspicious account.
It does not surprise me that the accounts are still visible. What often happens when there is a security concern over a particular account is that the user can not make a booking or activate a listing until she has been verified. This can be as simple as linking a Facebook account or require them to submit to a more extensive ID check.
_
Kevin
Reply Like 1 like
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Typo correction: "Hello J"
Reply Like
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Smith', who very recently joined this group (still a photo in the top bar), has zero verifications, and an active listing.
Reply Like
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
One of the membership requirements for this group is to verification. I've removed removed that account from the group as it did not have any form of verification. Thanks Tara.
-
Kevin
Reply Like
Tara
Taraa year ago
As per J's post, there's also another 'Smith, identical profile description to the previous 'Smith' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24848456 again zero verifications.
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done.
Tara
Taraa year ago
And 'Glen' who has the same profile photo as the second 'Smith' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24937302
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done.
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Omar', zero verifications www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24780765
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
Ditto 'Marcus' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/24734862
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
'Rock' same profile photo as 'Marcus' www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/23970392
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/23456878
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
Done
Tara
Taraa year ago
Good sleuthing, J!
Reply Like 1 reply
Zaza & Kevin
Zaza & Kevina year ago
And thanks for the links Tara. _ Kevin
Al
Ala year ago
Local authorities scour airbnb to bust hosts. We must make sure these non-verified accounts do not exist here.
Reply Like
JANET
JANETa year ago
What do you mean Al ? If you mean they ' bust' people for subletting council properties without permission (and therefore acting illegally ) well so be it. You make it sound like there's a load of us here hiding and not wanting to be caught. That's not good for the reputation of Airbnb.
Reply Like 1 reply
Al
Ala year ago
Janet, I'm not talking about subletting council flats, which are an unreformable joke anyway. It's to do with planning permission and building control; if you're in any of the major London boroughs, strictly speaking it's a breach to host people for less than 90 days. The key thing is, though, that councils don't enforce it in most circumstances, and the deregulation bill which will hopefully be passed soon, is going to restrict the power of councils to stop us from doing it in our own homes. But until then, it's still a grey area, and enforcement remains entirely at the discretion of councils. Therefore, any accounts which are unverified and potentially being used by people who have no intention of hosting on airbnb but rather trampling on the rights of homeowners, or pacifying the grudges of malicious neighbours, should be excluded.
Barbara
Barbaraa year ago
Can I just interject here - Eric and I co-organise our Group - The Scottish Community but we have to approve a request for membership. We stick to our rules - which were discussed with our members extensively - and we decided that to approve a membership the applicant had to have a facial photo (unless there were extenuating circumstances agreed by both of us), they had to have verification and a valid listing. We also trawl our members regularly and write to those that have de-listed. If we do not hear back from them - we remove their membership. It sounds harsh but our members are very happy that we run such a tight ship.
Reply Like
J (and family)
J (and family)a year ago
Thanks all
My point really was not so much about group membership as everyone can follow forum discussions with being a member, but about an obvious issue of non-genuine profiles being unnoticed by airbnb in the fist place. Not convinced this reflects well on its claim to provide a user experience based on trust. It's not really my job to scan host profiles, and I would expect better for the level of fees hosts and guests are being charged.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Tara
Taraa year ago
I agree. As you say, the fake hosts you reported no longer have active listings - but why are the profiles still up at all? They should be checking every single host, logging IP addresses, etc. It should also be compulsory to have a fully verified ID as a host.
Jude
Judea year ago
Tara -et all and Barbara I'll just double check from the outset what we do from the outset about people joining this group and let you know.