Airbnb Wants a Picture of a Government Issued ID?

[HadEnuff]

I am looking at Airbnb (as I have read on the ER boards that they may offer more security for the renter than VRBO), for a 3 month rental, for next winter.

They say they want me to take a picture or a government ID, it could be either

My driver's license,
My passport,
Or some other form of Government ID, and they want me to upload it to them.

This scares the heck out me.

Is this what everyone who uses Airbnb is required to do?

Why should I not be worried about this?

thanks

[Nemo2]

We have never been asked to do that, and if we were asked we wouldn't comply.

(Is this your first time with airbnb...i.e. have you previously built up a 'reputation' with them? If not, perhaps an initial request for a 3 month rental rings alarms.)

[VanWinkle]

Maybe for security reasons?

[CaliKid]

Looking at google it appears this is an option that some property owners can put in their settings. Here's the link to your answer: LMGTFY

[HadEnuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanWinkle Maybe for security reasons?

Indeed, for THEIR security, but I am finding it hard to believe that people will send out such information.

In view of the constant stories of "secure" banks of information being hacked, who would send out a photo of their government ID? Doesn't that sound like a recipe for identity theft?

[HadEnuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliKid Looking at google it appears this is an option that some property owners can put in their settings. Here's the link to your answer: LMGTFY

Thanks for the link. It seems my incredulity is not isolated. No way I'm doing that.

If that is what it takes for this business model to function, than I think that business model is doomed to fizzle out and die.

[athena53]

I've had only one experience with Airbnb, a very good one in Iceland last August, and did not have to do that. I MIGHT be OK with sending a version with numbers blacked out but if they want numbers that would be a deal-breaker for me.

[nwsteve]

We booked a 5 day stay near Venice with an Airbnb "Super?" landlord and was asked for this info at time of reservation. I figure he will be getting a copy of my passport at arrival like every other hotel so why fight it.

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadEnuff I am looking at Airbnb (as I have read on the ER boards that they may offer more security for the renter than VRBO), for a 3 month rental, for next winter. They say they want me to take a picture or a government ID, it could be either My driver's license, My passport, Or some other form of Government ID, and they want me to upload it to them. This scares the heck out me. Is this what everyone who uses Airbnb is required to do? Why should I not be worried about this? thanks

I'm not really sure what you concern is with this.....how many times while traveling do you need to show ID.. a lot. I paid for 2 rooms in a Hilton before new years and put my daughters name on the second room..we BOTH had to show picture ID..If I had a property that someone wanted to stay in for 3 months it behooves me to know the name and address the person is giving me is legit. What other way it there to do it?Try renting a regular house or apartment without a legit ID..

[fidler4]

I rented a tool at Home Depot the other day and they scanned my drivers license. This is the same Home Depot that had the large data breach a few years ago.

I was at a new dentist the other day and gave them my name, DOB, SS #, address, drivers license number and then all of my wife’s info since she is the primary insured.

I have given copies of my passport many times to hotels while traveling abroad.

I also use Airbnb recently and had to send a scanned photo of my license.

I setup a Paypal account for our local high school booster club. So paypal has all of my info now including a copy of my drivers license.

When I upload a picture of myself to facebook their facial recognition technology knows its me.

The list goes on and on......

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadEnuff Thanks for the link. It seems my incredulity is not isolated. No way I'm doing that. If that is what it takes for this business model to function, than I think that business model is doomed to fizzle out and die.

Incredulity...? seriously, you want to doom AirB'nB because the owner wants to know who he is renting too? How does he know you aren't going to start a meth lab in his apartment..you could be anybody, someone could have stole your identity to try and rent his apartment.

In the spirit of mutual destruction why don't you tell the owner it's a long rental for a lot of money how about if you send me yours and I'll send you mine.

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadEnuff Indeed, for THEIR security, but I am finding it hard to believe that people will send out such information. In view of the constant stories of "secure" banks of information being hacked, who would send out a photo of their government ID? Doesn't that sound like a recipe for identity theft?

I sent mine, it goes to AirBnb and not the owner if I recall correctly. And AirBnb can tell the owner that the stranger who is going to rent their place has provided gov't ID.

How else do they know you are not a scammer, after all you don't pay until after you show up.

[ncbill]

They demanded ID when I signed up, as well as social media info (no accounts)

Then I was completely ignored by the owner of the property I wanted to rent.
Not even a "sorry, we don't rent to new accounts."

At the time there was no way to complain to AirBnb about such conduct.

So, IMHO, $#% AirBnb...sorry I was stupid enough to provide them my ID.

[Sunset]

We have only used it twice, each time for 3 days last summer.
Compared to hotels, which I looked at first, we saved over $500 in total. And while strange/weird to be in a strangers home like a hotel, it worked out great!

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset How else do they know you are not a scammer, after all you don't pay until after you show up.

Both times I used Airbnb it was charged to my cc at the time of reservation. When I cancelled the first one months in advance after DH was diagnosed with leukemia they even kept something around $150 of what I'd paid.

[Nemo2]

We've used airbnb a number of times.....sometimes for 2-3 weeks, sometimes less...never had a problem situation.

Before booking we read the reviews.....then, if we're able to, (WiFi access), we'll always write a review after we've vacated. The landlord writes a review of the tenant, which I presume other landlords can appraise......thus, if one has accumulated sufficient positive reviews from other landlords (again, I presume), one is probably more likely to be approved without further question.

Seems to me it'd just be (a variation of) a standard business practice.

[Koogie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fidler4 I rented a tool at Home Depot the other day and they scanned my drivers license. This is the same Home Depot that had the large data breach a few years ago. .... The list goes on and on......

+1

I never get this type of paranoia. Ever rented a rental car before ? Did they take your license information down ? You somehow trust Hertz more than Airbnb ?

We've rented about 10 times from Airbnb. The first 5 times... nothing. The sixth time, they asked for a copy of my drivers license. It is to combat fraud.

5 minutes later, done and dusted.

Move on.

[CoolRich59]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncbill as well as social media info

"Social media accounts"? You mean Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. account IDs?

That's really interesting. The more I think about it, I think that's really good info to ask for. It is amazing what people will post on social media. You can tell a lot about someone by seeing what they post. "Hey, check me out trashing this hotel room while on Spring Break in Daytona!!"

Of course, one could say they don't have any social media accounts. I might buy that for someone in their 60s, but if a Millenial told me they didn't have any social media accounts, I'd be *a bit* skeptical.

[Koogie]

I'm in my forties and don't have a Bookface or Snapgram account...

[CoolRich59]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koogie I'm in my forties and don't have a Bookface or Snapgram account...

Late 50s. No Facebook, no Instagram, no Pinterest, no Snapchat. I have a twitter account, but use it to follow people who post interesting articles and rarely post anything.

From a social media perspective, I'm the invisible man.