Is Couchsurfing Safe?
If you’ve ever tried traveling on a limited budget, chances are you’ve run into your fair share of difficulties. Dealing with budget airlines, car rental companies, sketchy motels and various other annoyances can leave you burned out and broke. But what if I told you there was a way you could avoid paying for lodging ever again?
That’s right; through a service called Couchsurfing, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars, and spend that money on safer and more comfortable traveling methods. Now, you’re probably thinking “oh, couchsurfing sounds too good to be true. Is it even safe?” That’s the question we’re here to answer!
Couchsurfing’s safety features
The short answer is yes, couchsurfing is actually very safe! The couchsurfing service has implemented a number of safeguards against malicious use, which are highly effective in preventing anyone from using it for anything other than its intended purpose.
First of all, couchsurfing utilizes a review system that is set up to be difficult to circumvent, and user reviews are public. As a common sense measure, users can accept or reject any host or guest, so the decision to host or surf is up to the judgement and intuition.
For an added layer of security, users can also pay to become verified, which adds an extra defense against malicious use. This process is completed by sending pictures and a valid ID increases security and appeal, but is not obligatory for users.
At the end of the day, no house sharing platform is going to be 100% safe, and no security measure is 100% effective. However, with these kinds of savings, you'd be kicking yourself if you didn't at least try it, right? You'll be glad you did. And, when you add up the savings, your wallet will too!
Popular Real Estate Questions
Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms
Standard precut lumber sizes for lumber industry needs. The typical sizes are 2 to 5 inches thick by 5 to 12 inches wide. ...
A mortgage requiring a substantial down payment. It is usually only available to those having good credit, and has fixed monthly payments for the life of the loan. It usually has a 30 year ...
(1) The exposed trim and molding surrounding a door or window. (2) Woodwork which encases a pipe or structural member. (3) Method of creating a form for the pouring of concrete. ...
An open surface constructed on top of a flat roof. Normally, a railing is constructed on the sides of a deck roof. See also deck. ...
Received immediately when an investment is made or contract signed. For example, a real estate limited partnership may require that an investor pay a 3% sale fee at the time of initial ...
The income earned on an investment, typically stated as a percentage of the market price ...
Same as term government rectangular survey: Way in which the U.S. government uses to subdivide public land. Land is designated as either a base line (East-West) or principal meridian line ...
Physical decline in a property's value caused from use, old age, and environmental factors. ...
Sometimes, a perplexing legal term (a genuine headscratcher) emerges when buying or selling a property. You know you should know it, but its precise definition escapes you. Today's special ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.