Airbnb host tries to charge guest £389 for a stained mattress, guest finds the image they used on years-old internet forum: 'Thought it was a bit fishy so reversed image searched'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jul 17, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Airbnb is one of the key inventions of our century. They've opened up the world for travel in important ways. They've allowed big groups of people to share a vacation home instead of having to pay a bunch of money for different hotel rooms. They've allowed guests to stay in places with regular home amenities that you don't always get on vacation, like a kitchen, a living room, and maybe even a private outdoor space. 

Airbnb has also let millions of people make a little extra money on the side by opening up either their primary or secondary homes to strangers on the internet. But like anything involving strangers on the unternet, it definitely has its downsides. You never quite know what you're going to get in an Airbnb until you open up the doors. There have been plenty of places  I've stayed in that have looked way different in real life. Plus, you're also dealing with somebody whom you may never meet if they have an automatic check-in system. 

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  • This can lead to a lack of accountability on both sides when it comes to maintaining the space. Like in this situation, where an Airbnb host tried to scam an innocent guest out of a couple of hundred bucks. But they got the perfect revenge in the end after some savvy Google searching. Read on to see what happened.  

  • 01

    Stayed in an Airbnb. Host claimed I damaged the mattress. Asking for money. Turns out they took an image from the Internet.

    C к 9-10 Jul Translation on Payment requested £389 GBP For reimbursement Accept or decline Good evening. On your visit to unfortunately you failed to let us know that there was an accident in the bed. The mattress is now ruined and has had to be replaced. We were disappointed to see the damage and not to be informed. The cost of the replacement mattress was £299. I will now send a request for the money. Typical response time: 2 hours Details
    via u/Xrontos
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10530294016
    via u/Xrontos
  • 03
    15:55 44% dh-asia.com < : de Hygienique" By De Hygienique August 2, 2021 Mattress Care Tips 0 Comments ||| = Privacy - Terms Ever had to come across unsightly yellow stains on your mattress? Don't worry, we've all been there. Regardless of how religious maintain the cleanliness of your mattress, it
    via u/Xrontos
  • 04
    In a well regarded Airbnb. 4.9 star host and hotel. Though it was a bit fishy so reversed image searched. And found it was an image from a fourm post 4 years old. We were going to stay there again. Not now...
    via u/Xrontos
  • 05

    Commenters had a lot say about this scam.

    Prudent_Link6029 · 19h ago • This is fraud, report it
    via u/Prudent_Link6029
  • 06
    Joey Joe JoeSenior ⚫ 17h ago . He should tell the scammer that a police report has been filed for attempted fraud and to expect criminal charges soon. Maybe it'll scare them straight for a while.
    via u/JoeyJoeJoeSenior
  • 07
    . Rich-Cantaloupe340 · 19h ago You gotta show us the part where you called them out on it!!
    via u/Rich-Cantaloupe340
  • 08
    Xrontos OP • 19h ago They've read it but They haven't responded. I asked for more photos and they have just given me the silent treatment aha
    via u/Xrontos
  • 09
    Adventurous_Fun_817 19h ago 4:42 Qurine stain on mattress urine stain on mattress Sponsored CLOROX Urine Remover Eliminates Stains & Odors Pick up today 37 √6 @ Mattress steam Clorox Urine Mattress Yel cleaning for Que... Remover for... Stain Remo $55.86 $6.88 $6.85 Grouppo Walmart Walmart Free shipping 4.4 (974) Shop now Shop now Shop now How to Clean Urine from Mattres... How to Clean Pee Off a Memory... De Hygienique YouTube I'm de id B
    via u/Adventurous_Fun_817
  • 10
    Key-Eagle7800 - 19h ago Savvy work reverse searching the photo, well done
    via u/Key-Eagle7800
  • 11
    Kicky1992 • 19h ago . Don't just report them to AirBnB, also contact the police non-emergency. Fraud is fraud and they might have done this to other people.
    via u/Kicky1992
  • 12
    • X.. OP 10h ago Edited 3h ago • Airbnb saw common sense! They declined the request. But from what I can tell they seem to have gotten away with it. So time for a bit of name and shame to warn others.
    via u/Xrontos
  • 13
    They have multiple under "Shepherd's hit in Roche" Both the "Bespoke railway carriage" and the "Shepherds rest" Hosted by Cara and Charmain. I know they are also building another one aswell so be aware. They also go by rosemellyn glamping.
    via u/Xrontos
  • 14
    scottyman2k • 19h ago So when you report it to AirBnB ask for a reference number that you can give to the police (and report it to the police) but will ensure that AirBnb take it seriously and don't fob you off. Edit - you know because of actual fraud
    via u/scottyman2k
  • 15
    SuspiciousCucumb... • 19h ago Why are they also requesting £389 when the alleged cost of the replacement was £299????? Dodgy Report the fraud to AirBnB and police!
    via u/SuspiciousCucumber16
  • 16
    . BrutalHonesty2024 · 19h ago I wonder how many times they have been reimbursed for this "damage"?
    via u/BrutalHonesty2024
  • 17
    Fantastic Theory_... . 19h ago Not only insinuating you damaged something when you didnt, but for the damage in question to be literally the bed? I would be furious lol
    via u/Fantastic_Theory_933
  • 18
    mikraas 19h ago . they should get their hosting privileges revoked forever.
    via u/mikraas
  • 19
    LeadingScene5702 · 19h ago I always take a short video of the place before I walk out. I've yet to have an issue but want evidence just in case.
    via u/LeadingScene5702
  • 20
    Professional-Door... • 17h ago This happened to me like 2 months ago, host claimed we broke a glass-top table and smoked inside then tried to charge like 300€. We disputed it obviously and sent airbnb a screenshot of the reverse image search, they closed the whole case. Good luck!
    via u/Professional-Door257
  • 21
    TWD1fan 19h ago The cost allegedly was £299, asks for £389 lol The audacity would boil my bl_d
    via u/TWD1fan
  • 22
    JerryNotTom • 18h ago 100% report to Airbnb 100% leave this sh in their review 100% pressure Airbnb to ban the host due to the attempted fraud 100% tell Airbnb you're going to get a lawyer over this on the principal their platform is allowing fraudulent activity. 100% find a lawyer who will send nasty emails to Airbnb if the host is left on the platform after a week or two.
    via u/JerryNotTom
  • 23
    Dawgfromdawest • 19h ago . This is the reason 10,999 | won't/don't/refuse to use airbnb. Actually still surprised people still use it. The whole website system feels scammy.
    via u/Dawgfromdawest
  • 24
    Meaty_Wizard • 19h ago Wow, it's literally the first GIS example for "Stained Mattress" :D
    via u/Meaty_Wizard

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