A representative of the accommodation company called the long-time host on March 8 requesting help. A female guest had a problem with her booked accommodation – could he step in at the last minute and host her that night? Airbnb would pay him for his trouble.
John Rundell was asked to take an emergency booking by Airbnb.Simon Schulter
Rundell,who has rented out room in his large Brighton house for years,was wary.
He had previously rejected the guest in question,as she did not have a long accommodation history – but he trusted Airbnb.
That proved a costly mistake. Items to the value of $17,300 were allegedly stolen from his home and now Rundell and his partner fear they could become victims of identity theft after they found expired passports were also missing.
“My antennae was up from the start but I thought if Airbnb was requesting it … I really had to accept her as a guest,” Rundell said.
Court records show that prior to her stay at Rundell’s home,the guest had been convicted on a string of charges including possession of drugs,driving offences,car theft and retention of stolen goods.
“After what has now happened,I am not sure I can trust Airbnb to screen guests,” Rundell said.
Rundell,a chartered accountant,has rented out a room for nearly 10 years in the house he shares with partner Sonia,his stepdaughter and her partner. He prefers to rent out a room rather his whole house,but the couple can move at short notice to their boat which is moored nearby.
“It’s like an old-fashioned bed and breakfast. We actually enjoyed having people stay. And some of them we’re still in communication with,” Rundell said.
Rundell was not at home when he received the emergency call from Airbnb asking him to host the woman – he was staying on his boat,but his stepdaughter and her partner were home. He made arrangements and gave her the access code to the property.
Police seeking man and woman over brazen caravan theft in Victoria.
The next morning everything appeared normal,but the couple noted the shower in the rented bedroom ran for an unusually long time.
About 11am,the guest and male companion met Rundell’s stepdaughter as they were leaving.
A Ferragamo handbag of this style was allegedly stolen.Supplied
When he returned home,Rundell complained to Airbnb that the bedroom stank of prawns.
It was only later that day that Sonia noticed her prized Ferragamo handbag – valued at more than $4000 – was missing.
The couple thought they might have left it at their other accommodation. But later,more items were found to be missing,including a Kate Spade clutch,belt,cash,rings,jewellery and an expired passport. Total value:$17,300.
Rundell complained again to Airbnb. “Airbnb advised us not to go to the police in a phone call,” Rundell said. He said a representative told him over the phone that the company would look to cover the losses.
Rundell did not contact the police and submitted his claim to the company in late March. But in April,an Airbnb safety agent wrote to Rundell encouraging him to go to the police.
That month,Rundell received another unexpected phone call. A police officer called to say they had found his expired passport after raiding a house in Frankston.
The officer urged him to file a police statement,which Rundell – concerned he might now fall victim to identity theft – then did.
Victoria Police said the March 8 thefts were being investigated. “It is believed luxury handbags,jewellery and other personal items were stolen from a property in Adamson Street,” police said in a statement.
“Officers recovered one of the allegedly stolen items on Seaford Street in Frankston on 4 April. Police are working to establish the exact circumstances and investigations remain ongoing.
“Anyone with information or CCTV footage,is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au”
Rundell is still in negotiations for reimbursement with Airbnb,which hired a loss assessor to survey his property.
“The initial ringing up and pushing someone on an Airbnb host is extraordinary. That stuff should never occur. And the way they’ve been jerking me around now for over a month,” Rundell said.
This masthead put Rundell’s allegations to Airbnb,along with a series of questions about whether it performs criminal checks on guests,if it was common for the service to phone hosts and ask them to take on guests at short notice,and why they requested Rundell not go to the police.
An Airbnb spokesman did not respond to the questions directly but said “incidents like this are extremely rare”.
“The safety of our community is one of our top priorities,and we take reports like this very seriously. We require everyone who uses Airbnb to represent themselves authentically,and enforce strict policies governing who can have an account,” it said.
Rundell was not at home when he received the emergency call from Airbnb asking him to host the woman.Ryan Stuart
“We’re continuing to provide support to the Host,and stand ready to assist police in their investigations.”
Airbnb said it used sophisticated technologies to help prevent bad actors from using its platform.
According to text conversations between Rundell and the guest – seen by this masthead – she had told Airbnb that the landlord at her previous accommodation had demanded she pay in cash when she had arrived,prompting her to call Airbnb and ask for help.
After she left Rundell’s property,she left a five-star review overall,though she gave him three stars for value for money.
“Lovely room,John was very helpful and accommodating,” she wrote.
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