Scott Brindley Airbnb Guest Review Dispute: Documented Pattern of Refund Demands, False Claims, and Review Pressure

Overview

This article documents a host’s experience with a guest, Scott Brindley Scott B., whose stay resulted in false claims, repeated refund demands, off-platform pressure, and a retaliatory 1-star review despite immediate responses and documented remediation efforts.

The purpose of this post is not harassment or speculation. It is to preserve an evidence-based record of communications, timelines, and publicly visible reviews that demonstrate a pattern of behavior affecting multiple hosts.

All claims below are supported by screenshots, timestamps, inspection reports, and public Airbnb reviews, which are referenced and archived.

Background

• Property: Paradise 5G (Medellín, Colombia)

• Host Status at Time of Stay:Top 5% Superhost

• Average Rating Prior to Incident:5.0 / 5.0 (2+ years)

• Guest Stay Duration:12 nights

• Guest Departure:Day 6

• Outcome: Partial refund paid, followed by a 1-star public review

At the time of this incident, the property had no prior complaints related to mold, safety hazards, or sanitation.

Chronology of Events

Day 1–2: Initial Messages

• Guest contacted host outside the Airbnb platform via WhatsApp

• Claimed a “mold issue” in anon-bedroom community bathroom

• Refused phone or video calls

• Repeatedly pushed for immediate refunds

“Refund me two nights. Let’s make this simple.”

No mold complaint had been reported prior to this message.

Immediate Host Response

Within minutes:

• Host requested to move all communication back to Airbnb

• Offeredsame-day inspection

• Offeredin-person visit

• Offeredprofessional cleaning

• Offeredtemporary bathroom closure

Guest refused inspections and escalated refund demands.

Mold Claim Investigation

• Professional mold inspection ordered and paid for by host

• No mold found

• No evidence of systemic moisture, health risk, or jacuzzi-related issues

Despite this, the mold allegation continued.

Off-Platform Pressure and Review Threats

Screenshots show repeated statements linking refunds to reviews, including:

• Requests to resolve “privately”

• Statements implying a negative review if demands were not met

• Refusal to follow Airbnb’s resolution process

This behavior aligns with Airbnb’s definition of review manipulation.

The Public Review

After leaving early and receiving a partial refund, the guest posted a 1-star review containing:

• Claims of “systemic mold”

• Claims of unsafe repair visits (despite advance notice and identification)

• Claims of deceptive practices “common in MDE”

• Claims contradicting inspection reports and message history

These statements were published after Airbnb support had been notified and documentation submitted.

Evidence of Patterned Behavior

Public Airbnb reviews show similar complaints made by the same guest against multiple unrelated hosts, using overlapping language:

• Mold allegations

• Unsafe conditions

• Pressure for refunds

• Negative reviews after refusal to refund outside Airbnb

Screenshots of these reviews are archived below.

This is not an isolated disagreement—it is a repeat pattern.

Why This Matters

False claims and review abuse harm:

• Host livelihoods

• Property reputations

• Platform trust

• Guest safety reporting credibility

When platforms fail to intervene, hosts are left with no recourse except public documentation.

Platform Response

Despite:

• Inspection reports

• Timestamped message logs

• Evidence of off-platform pressure

• Evidence of review threats

• Evidence of repeated behavior across hosts

The review was not removed, and the listing experienced:

• 6 days of lost visibility

• High-season ranking penalties

• Long-term reputational damage

Purpose of This Publication

This post exists to:

• Preserve evidence

• Warn other hosts

• Encourage fair platform enforcement

• Promote transparency

This is not harassment.

This is documentation.

All materials referenced are available upon request.

Disclaimer

This article reflects one host’s documented experience and publicly available information. Readers are encouraged to review all evidence independently. No statements herein assert criminal guilt.

Attached Evidence

• WhatsApp message screenshots (timestamps visible)

• Airbnb message thread screenshots

• Mold inspection report

• Public Airbnb reviews by the same guest

• Airbnb support correspondence