Airbnb Giveaway Fraud Concerns
Summary
If you unknowingly used a fraudulent credit card for an Airbnb booking, you may not be held responsible. Contact Airbnb support to explain the situation and provide any evidence you have. If the card was used without the owners consent, it could be considered fraudulent. Monitor communications for any legal notices and consider consulting a legal professional for personalized advice. If Airbnb support instructs you to book with your own card, follow their guidance to avoid fraud.Full Conversation
In early October of last year, I (18F) won a giveaway on Telegram for a free Airbnb stay under $*. The person booked the stay (in a hotel in Chicago) under my airbnb account and used their card. I then used my ID to check in and used my own card for incidentals. However, around * weeks after my stay, I received an email saying that a dispute was made and that my airbnb account was banned. I suspect the person most likely have used someone else's credit card without their knowledge to host the giveaway and make the booking on my account, which I verified my identity on.
In any case, will legal action be taken and will I be charged with fraud? Or will someone else be responsible? I would appreciate any help. I am quite worried as a college student.
It's understandable to be worried about this situation. Generally, if you were unaware of the fraudulent activity, you may not be held responsible. However, you should:
- Contact Airbnb to explain the situation and provide any evidence you have.
- Monitor your email for any legal notices.
- Consider consulting with a legal professional for personalized advice.
Have you contacted Airbnb support about your account ban and explained your situation?
- Contact Airbnb to explain the situation and provide any evidence you have.
- Monitor your email for any legal notices.
- Consider consulting with a legal professional for personalized advice.
Have you contacted Airbnb support about your account ban and explained your situation?
no, should i be doing that? if necessary, I can cover my hotel stay cost myself with my own card
Yes, I recommend contacting Airbnb support to explain your situation and provide any evidence you have regarding the giveaway. This can help clarify your position and potentially resolve the issue with your account. Have you gathered all the information and evidence related to the giveaway and stay?
But i deleted my account already, should I make another
Yes, it would be a good idea to create a new account to contact Airbnb support. Explain the situation and provide any evidence you have. This can help clear your name and potentially restore your access.
Have you kept any records of communications or screenshots related to the giveaway?
Have you kept any records of communications or screenshots related to the giveaway?
Yes
Since you have records of communications or screenshots related to the giveaway, provide those to Airbnb support through your newly created account. This will aid in your defense.
Check your records and contact Airbnb support through their help center or customer service to explain the entire situation.
Feel free to ask if you need more help on how to approach Airbnb or any other concerns.
Check your records and contact Airbnb support through their help center or customer service to explain the entire situation.
Feel free to ask if you need more help on how to approach Airbnb or any other concerns.
what if their reservation got cancled and support told me to book another with the card? would I be committing fraud then?
If Airbnb support asks you to book another reservation with your own card, you would not be committing fraud. Make sure you follow their instructions and keep records of all communications. If you have any doubts, it's best to consult with a legal professional.
Do you need more help on how to approach Airbnb or any other concerns?
Do you need more help on how to approach Airbnb or any other concerns?
no, i meant what if I used their card, with the giveaway host's permission
If you used the giveaway host's card with their permission, it's important to ensure the card owner is aware and consents to the transaction. If the card was used without the owner's knowledge, it could be considered fraudulent. Always communicate clearly with both the host and Airbnb support.
Would you like guidance on how to approach this with Airbnb support?
Would you like guidance on how to approach this with Airbnb support?
if the ttransaction is under $*, and i take no action, what happens
If the transaction is under $* and you take no action, the following could happen:
- Your Airbnb account may remain banned.
- The card owner might report the unauthorized transaction, possibly leading to an investigation.
- You could potentially be contacted by authorities for further information.
Would you like more guidance on how to handle this situation?
- Your Airbnb account may remain banned.
- The card owner might report the unauthorized transaction, possibly leading to an investigation.
- You could potentially be contacted by authorities for further information.
Would you like more guidance on how to handle this situation?
yes
If you take no action, your account will likely stay banned, and there might be further investigations. Here's what you can do:
- Contact Airbnb Support: Explain the situation and provide evidence.
- Monitor Communications: Keep an eye on emails for any updates.
- Consult a Lawyer: For personalized advice.
Do you need help drafting a message to Airbnb support?
- Contact Airbnb Support: Explain the situation and provide evidence.
- Monitor Communications: Keep an eye on emails for any updates.
- Consult a Lawyer: For personalized advice.
Do you need help drafting a message to Airbnb support?