Video of police arriving at the party the scammer guest had there
The Airbnb host Croxton said that between the stolen items and the damage, his family is set back nearly $7,000. Airbnb, while not fully disavowing responsibility, he said, is dragging its heels in helping. Representatives won't talk over the phone, he said, and emails take days to get responses. Further frustrating matters, the company wants receipts for each individual item he is claiming, which in many cases he doesn't have.
"Am I going to keep an invoice for a carpet that I bought at IKEA?" he asked, rhetorically. "They're trying to nickel-and-dime us. They're trying to wait us out."
Croxton said he has consulted a lawyer and determined that it would cost more to fight Airbnb than the amount lost. The negotiations are ongoing, and after some soul-searching, Croxton said he decided to share his story as a cautionary tale to those renting their homes through the company or considering doing so.