Airbnb users complain of accounts being 'hacked' saying they've been charged thousands and had bookings cancelled

AIRBNB users are complaining that their accounts have been "hacked" with some finding holidays unknowingly booked in their name costing thousands of pounds.

Others say genuine reservations made on the booking site have been cancelled leaving them with nowhere to stay.

Adding to the turmoil is the fact that users say they have been locked out of their accounts, which means they can't change their password to keep potential fraudsters out.

Some say accounts have been completely deleted, which is frustrating as the site's reviews system favours users whose profiles show they're trusted.

The Sun has contacted Airbnb about this spate of reports seen on social media and we'll update this story as soon as we get a response.

One furious user tweeted this week: "Warning! Last night my @Airbnb account was HACKED and a booking of £487 was made using my card details.

How to protect yourself from scammers

If you have an Airbnb account it's worth logging in – if you can – to check for suspicious bookings or cancellations of accommodation you've already booked.

Also check your credit card, Paypal and current account statements for unusual activity.

Report fraud immediately

If you spot anything out of the ordinary, contact your payment provider immediately.

Also contact Airbnb as soon as you can. We couldn't find a way to contact Airbnb without doing so from your online account. But you could try tweeting @AirbnbHelp and @Airbnb_uk as it does appear to be responding.

You can also complain about Airbnb via free online complaints tool Resolver.

You should also report fraud to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Check your credit file

If payments being wrongly taken from your account leaves you with other charges, such as overdraft fees, show proof of their to Airbnb and ask it to refund you.

You should also contact credit reference agencies to get any black marks that aren't your fault removed from your credit file.

Change online passwords

Airbnb users who use the same email address and password for other online accounts may also want to consider changing these passwords as a precaution.

Often hackers use data stolen from other data breaches to try and access other online accounts using the same login and password information.

You should always use different passwords and make sure they're not easy to guess.

"I am going to Venice in two weeks. Now I have nowhere to stay and still have no confirmation of when I will get my money back, despite two phone calls with Airbnb today."

Someone called Nathalie replied to this tweet saying: "This happened to my sister this week too, a payment of £7,000 was taken out of her account even after she told Airbnb she’d been hacked."

Another Twitter user said a whopping £10,000 had been stolen from her boyfriend's account. She wrote: "My bfs’s account was hacked, £10,000 stolen, & his account closed down (not by him).

"All our bookings for upcoming trip were cancelled. We’re £300 out of pocket on cancellation charges (not refunded by @Airbnb @Airbnb_uk), + £200 on rebooking places (some the same -at higher prices!)."

Someone else wrote: "Finally got my refund for £14,729.48 when someone hacked into my Airbnb account.

"Took 24 hours after lots of phone calls and stress. Airbnb didn't even bother to send an apology of the stress I had to go through."

Another worried user tweeted: "My @Airbnb_uk account was hacked last night. all my reservations for two weeks' time cancelled.

"Someone tried to book several holidays in my name + then it looks like they panicked and deleted my account. What the f*** am i meant to do????"

Many are also frustrated by Airbnb's seeming lack of help in resolving the problem.

One user called Emma tweeted: "Absolutely disgusted with @Airbnb_uk trying to get through to the right person is a nightmare, spent hours on the phone!

"Someone has had their account hacked bookings made and cancelled! Can anyone help urgently!"

Another person wrote: "@Airbnb_uk hi fraud on my account and no real way to report it or stop it? Help?

"I've deactivated my account but couldn't do anything else not even report fraud. Online chat hidden away and then when on wasn't any help at all."

The site can see homeowners net £3,000 a year by renting their property out – but it comes with pitfalls.

Here's what Airbnb is, where it is banned, how it works and why it has been controversial.

In 2018 mobs trash a tiny £1.3million Airbnb flat in Kensington after cramming in HUNDREDS of people for a wild party.

Source: Read Full Article