ADVERTISEMENT

Whenever there's money on the internet, there are people who want to steal it. And sadly, Shireen Heidari, MD, has just experienced it firsthand.

One day, the doctor at the Stanford Department of Medicine in California saw her home listed as a rental on Airbnb by some random person. Without her knowledge.

Image credits: ShireenNHeidari

When Heidari contacted the scammer, they even had the nerve to ask if she wanted to rent out the place she owns and lives in. But reporting the issue didn't help at first either — Airbnb proved that its customer service isn't up to par.

Looking for moral support, Heidari described the whole ordeal on Twitter, and apparently, stuff like this happens all the time as many people replied with similar stories of their own.

RELATED:

    When VICE asked its readers to describe their own experiences using Airbnb, it got nearly 1,000 emails with plenty of tales of deception.

    Turns out, scammers all over the world have figured out how beat the game on the platform: by engaging in bait and switches; charging guests for fake damages; persuading people to pay outside the Airbnb app; and, when all else fails, engaging in clumsy or threatening demands for five-star reviews to hide the evidence of what they've done. (Or, in some cases, a combination of several of these schemes.)

    #3

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    darafieldsTX Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Katherine Boag
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah nah. If you're only renting to friends and family you can do what you like, but if you're advertising to the public and renting to the public you have to abide by the relevant laws including anti-discrimination ones.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #4

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    DevidyalG Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathy Wilbourne
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I stay at Airbnb's often, and one thing I always do is message the owner in advance. If no response or one that feels off, I look elsewhere.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    The emails VICE received suggest that the people who run Airbnb are fundamentally unable to track what goes on within it, and point to easily exploitable loopholes that scammers have steamed their way through by the truckload.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "We have to take more responsibility for stuff on our platform," Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO and co-founder, said at a conference.

    "I think many of us in this industry ... are going from a hands-off model, where the internet's an immune system, to realizing that's not really enough, that we have to take more responsibility for the stuff on our platform," he said. "I think this has been a gradual, maybe too gradual, transition for our industry."

    In part, Chesky suggested Airbnb would start asking more specific questions of guests upon checkout—relying on users, in other words, to help clean up the platform.

    #6

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    ChocoTacos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cold Contagious
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have been a little surprised but relieved, because that would've been a crunchy situation to walk into.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    jasrussell Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    karen snyder
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some one is using pictures of your property to scam Rental Application and Background Check fees. In San Francisco, they usually ask for, between $30 and $100 and desperate people looking for rentals keep the scammers in business. ALWAYS ask to see the property before paying an application fee.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    One exceedingly common theme across hundreds of emails that VICE has received was the classic bait and switch: Airbnb users were promised one apartment and arrived to find something entirely different.

    Sometimes, the problem was deceptive photos that bore no resemblance to the actual place. Other times, they were persuaded by the host to switch apartments or houses entirely, only to find that the new location was filthy, unfurnished, or in a totally different area. (Surprisingly, a number of stories also talked about the new house possessing a weird number of beds, laid out in bizarre configurations.)

    #8

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    tboynew Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Celesta
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably the only time you would WANT to get stung by a bee, so you could sue for negligence.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    manup_us Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    deathrose
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They bought the house before their apartment lease was up. To not have to come out of pocket for both rent and mortgage they rented out their new house. The people renting the house were there for over a month which gave them squatter's rights and stopped paying. Without the income from renting the house they couldn't afford paying rent and mortgage and ended in foreclosure.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    The so-called plumbing scam is a very popular bait and switch. Dozens of people told VICE that they'd booked an apartment or a house (in cities both in the U.S. and abroad) and days or hours before the reservation was set to start, the host would abruptly tell them that the unit had developed a sudden and fatal plumbing issue.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "I rented a place near Glass Beach and a few weeks prior to my trip when I reached out to confirm the booking, the lister told me she had a 'septic problem' in the unit and she could see if she could put me up in a larger place nearby," one platform user told VICE in an email. "That never materialized but she refused to cancel my booking, saying the first time that her computer wasn't working and the next time, weeks later, that her father had just passed away. I had to complain to Airbnb that she refused to cancel the booking so they canceled it but I was unable to write a negative review."

    #11

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    blevidorfman Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    LJ Robinson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went thru every background check imaginable to get into my apt., paying all fees, security, etc etc to move into that building. They turned some of the apts into ABB rentals after a few years. Within 2 years our clean, civil, quiet, secure building was a mess. The exercise facilities, the meeting/computer area had to be closed due to repeated theft. The trash rooms were filled with vomit, broken glass, used condoms and smelled rank when walking past them. It felt strange that I had to undergo such an extreme background check, when ABB was renting to anyone with a credit card.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    brigett66463036 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    CATMONSTER2018
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hikacked the pictures and we're trying to rent it? Maybe its just MY bad grammer, but what the heck does that mean.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    ShireenNHeidari Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AirBnB is notorious for starting lawsuits against municipalities if they start collecting tourist tax or something similar. They really think, like most American businesses, that they can use the same legal tactics in other countries to bend laws in ways that suits them best.

    But a company spokesperson said, "We hold hosts accountable for honoring their reservations, and we strongly support guests with rebookings or reimbursements when things don't go according to plan. For a host to avoid cancellation penalties, we require the submission of supporting documentation. For instance, a host citing a plumbing issue would need to submit to Airbnb an invoice or receipt of services from a legitimate business."

    He added that, usually, "If we see a host engaging in problematic behavior, including frequent last-minute cancellations, that host would be subject to suspension or removal from the platform."

    #15

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    lizzy863 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would AirBnB check if you are scammed? They still get their commission from the scammer and hide behind a wall of silence. It's not in their interest if they proactively check if people are scammers. It costs time, someone has to be paid to do it and in the end they miss out on their percentage of the profits that the scammers make.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    doctorjackpine Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Djennie
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s just a generic clone scam, I get several emails a day alleging to be from genuine providers I use and ones I’ve never used. They work because a large number of people have accounts and saying they’ll be restricted or some other issue in an email with the right logos gets many to unthinkingly click and then “confirm” all their ID and credit card details.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    DJtruthteller16 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From experience, these scoundrels represent themselves as professionals, rich, or important people who are caught up in events where they can't meet you and want the money up front. They will up the timetable if they come to know you are desperate.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Referring to bait-and-switches of all kinds, Airbnb told VICE that, "Bait and switch schemes, such as those described where guests are offered worse accommodations, are unacceptable and antithetical to Airbnb's values and the community standards. If a guest is ever asked to do something like this, they should contact us either by phone or through our app so that we can support them. Our Guest Guarantee policy entitles guests to a full refund or rebooking into a new listing of equal or better value. We would then address the issues with the host, which could include suspension or removal from our platform. If such a scheme were to rise to the level of criminal fraud, we would also seek to work with law enforcement to hold that person accountable."

    #19

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    mbtswilson Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ally MacMann
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is unfortunately a very common scam that isn't limited to Airbnb or the US and nearly happened to me. Never ever pay a cent before (in the very least) seeing the property and if possible having the keys in your hands.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    ExC__Gale Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Leslie
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why did it take me so long to figure out that GAS meant “give a s**t?”

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    _SilverScimitar Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Defeat the enemy with their own weapons and report them for illegally renting out their loft and every code violation you can think of. The couple will lose the battle if all neighbors collaborate to have them evicted.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Earlier this month, the company said it will help shelter some of the 2 million Ukrainians who have fled their country after Russia invaded it.

    According to a company spokesperson, Airbnb is prepared to offer housing of up to 14 days for up to 100,000 refugees.

    Airbnb works with nonprofits on the ground to book and coordinate stays for refugees, who also receive a range of other support in their new lives, the spokesperson explained.

    #23

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    SPuro88 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #24

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    DonnaHMoeller Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seadog
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ABNB needs to be fined a large amount for false listings beginning with the day it's listed. You can bet they'll begin verifying all listings real quick when they have to start paying out millions in fines and penalties on a daily basis. Personally, I think they should be put out of business and legislation passed governing any future attempts at creating a replacement.

    #25

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    chloemphoto Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Everydayhuman83
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I Have A Nice Job Covering Downvoted Comments :) _________________Airbnb Should Have Employees Go To Every House And Do A Tour To Make Sure The Place Is Legit.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    will_novacek Report

    Add photo comments
    POST

    Plus, People are booking Airbnb stays and experiences in Ukraine that they don’t intend on using just to help the locals and the platform is also temporarily waiving guest and host fees on bookings in the country.

    But given the amount of scamming on the platform, who says nobody is using the situation for their own gain? “Were I a Russian scammer, I would be setting up fake Airbnbs in [Kyiv] and Odessa as fast as I could to cash in on those noble intentions,” one person tweeted.

    #28

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    peachyoneGCD Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kuchi Kopi
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really wish people were better writers... I don't understand which party you were in this. There are many missing pieces of info too. I know Twitter caps the # of characters but surely there is a better way to write this. In half of these posts, people don't write clearly enough and it leaves the reader with questions! For example, I hate when people say "I was renting my apartment" when they really mean they were renting OUT their apartment to someone else. So much confusion!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    michelefron Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kay blue
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This happened quite a lot even before Airbnb started. There were numerous reports of British holidaymakers booking a villa on the continent - usually Spain or Greece and when they turned up the property didn't even exist. They either had to change their flights to get home or pay for hotels. The Internet makes it so easy to scam people.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    nkostelic Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Shelby Jackson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um. Why do they have their door unlocked in the middle of the night? And if this happened more than once, why would you continuously keep your door unlocked in the middle of the night?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    ange2289 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Panda
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are probably lucky you can't rent anymore judging from all those horror stories.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    tropichef Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #35

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    JT_FINNasty Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    hazelmist Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Brenda
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People need to get together and have a class action suit against them!

    #37

    Airbnb-Horror-Stories

    LowriSmith88 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST