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1.0 68 Reviews

Couchsurfing International Complaints Summary

0 Resolved
68 Unresolved
Our verdict: Engaging with Couchsurfing International at a 0% resolution rate requires careful navigation. Deep-dive into detailed customer experiences to uncover systemic issues. Critically assess their service descriptions against actual user feedback. When interacting, document every detail, as comprehensive records are vital in such scenarios. Exploring alternatives and understanding your consumer rights are crucial steps. If necessary, be prepared to seek external advice or intervention. In challenging service landscapes, informed decision-making and proactive steps are essential for protecting your interests.
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Couchsurfing International reviews & complaints 68

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1:08 pm EDT
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Couchsurfing International - Couchsurfing 'verification'

Same story as all the other poor suckers. It fully seemed like a standard 'Verification' (similar to Twitter/Tinder/Depop, whatever) with no mention of price either while I filled in my card details or when I pressed confirm. Then a £51 charge just appeared on my card. I honestly can't believe that any modern-day company - let alone one that claims to be...

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1:00 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International - Verification fee

Same as all the users before me, I was asked to verifify my account. I wanted to move forward with the verification procedure for my couchsurfing account to see what the advantages were of doing so. But I had to quickly enter my bank card number. I then wanted to move forward with the procedure, without ever intending to pay anything (I thought thi...

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4:44 am EDT

Couchsurfing International Couchsurfing Verification Fraud

CouchSurfinh tells new members they can get added benefits by “verifying” their profiles. Verifying your identity is done using credit card. CS forgets to clearly mention it actually costs. CS just grabs your money every year from then on, if you ended on having an annual plan.

I have done this because I thought it was just an ID verification without any costs added, as it doesn't say anywhere that it will cost me 56€! This is fraud!

Desired outcome: I want a refund of 56€ immediately.

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Is Couchsurfing International legit?

Our verdict: Complaints Board's thorough examination reveals Couchsurfing International as a legitimate entity with notable strengths. Despite a 0% resolution rate on customer complaints, which invites a closer look, Couchsurfing International stands out for its commitment to quality and security. Clients considering Couchsurfing International should delve into its customer service record to gauge compatibility with their expectations.

Couchsurfing International earns 91% level of Trustworthiness

Perfect Trust Endorsement: Couchsurfing International achives 91% ligitmacy per Complaints Board. Highly recommended, yet always stay vigilant.

We found clear and detailed contact information for Couchsurfing International. The company provides a physical address, phone number, and 2 emails, as well as 4 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.

A long registered date for couchsurfing.com can be seen as a positive aspect for Couchsurfing International as it indicates a commitment to maintaining the website and its domain name for a long period of time. It also suggests that the company is organized and has taken steps to secure its online presence.

The age of Couchsurfing International's domain suggests that they have had sufficient time to establish a reputation as a reliable source of information and services. This can provide reassurance to potential customers seeking quality products or services.

Couchsurfing.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.

Couchsurfing International as a website that uses an external review system. While this can provide valuable feedback and insights, it's important to carefully evaluate the source of the reviews and take them with a grain of salt.

We looked up Couchsurfing International and found that the website is receiving a high amount of traffic. This could be a sign of a popular and trustworthy website, but it is still important to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of the site before sharing any personal or financial information

However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:

  • While Couchsurfing International has a high level of trust, our investigation has revealed that the company's complaint resolution process is inadequate and ineffective. As a result, only 0% of 68 complaints are resolved. The support team may have poor customer service skills, lack of training, or not be well-equipped to handle customer complaints.
  • Couchsurfing International protects their ownership data, a common and legal practice. However, from our perspective, this lack of transparency can impede trust and accountability, which are essential for establishing a credible and respected business entity.
  • We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to Couchsurfing International. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
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9:53 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International registration and verification of my new account

I am wanting to complain about when i opened a new account with couchsurfers I was asked to verify my account after signing up with the minimum terms of £2.51. I noticed soon after that I had £51 removed from my account. I have requested my money back but was refused. I have requested on numerous times for access to the complaints procedure and have been refused access to it.

Desired outcome: I would like my money back and access to the complaints procedure.

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Swapnil Shimpi
, US
Sep 04, 2023 5:08 am EDT
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It looks like a scam as I too charged for 57 euro. I have raised a ticket. But later came to this website and finding too many complains for same reason. Did you get any feedback or refund ?

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12:21 pm EDT

Couchsurfing International Verification Cost

Less than 24 hours ago they charged me $60 without my consent.

They asked me to verify my card. I did and was later charged $60. They didn’t say I would be charged that much nor did they say it was non refundable.

They are not helping in customer service, and it’s outside my bank hours so I will follow up with bank Monday. They stole $60 from me without my consent or knowledge.

Desired outcome: Full refund

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11:57 am EDT

Couchsurfing International Wrong verification fee

On Sunday 13th August 2023 at 21.10 hrs IST - I was asked to pay a life time fee of INR 87 to verify my account on couchsurfing but after entering my card details i have been charged an amount of INR 4500. Please reverse these charges.at the earliest. I am not accepting this verification fee and do not want to verify my account . https://couchsurfing.page.link/7127vuawJtbb7pJq7

Desired outcome: Please refund 4500 INR

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Update by amithinduja
Aug 13, 2023 12:34 pm EDT

I was asked to pay a life time fee of INR 87 to verify my account but after entering my card details i have been charged an amount of INR 4500. Please reverse these charges.at the earliest. I am not accepting this verification fee and do not want to verify my account . https://couchsurfing.page.link/7127vuawJtbb7pJq7

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1:33 pm EDT
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Couchsurfing International Couchsurfing verification procedure

To Couchsurfing International, Inc., Attn: Legal Department, 548 Market St, PMB 86600, San Francisco, Califronia, [protected] US:

I hereby give notice that I withdraw from my contract of sale for the provision of the following service,

Couchsurfing Lifetime Verification

elena.[protected]@gmail.com

57.51€

Ordered on 6.08.2023

Name of consumer:

Olena Vitkovska

Address of consumer:

Eva-Maria-Mazzucco Platz 4 Top 55

8.08.2023

The transaction did not occur in accordance with EU regulations that require all online transactions above 30€ a two-step verification.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/finance-funding/making-receiving-payments/electronic-cash-payments/index\_en.htm).

Since your support team has not been cooperative, I am ready to take a legal action to defend my consumer rights unless you return me the money.

Yours sincerely,

Olena Vitkovska

Desired outcome: A full refund

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8:39 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International Verification service

I got charged without knowing. I did not see anywhere that stated it would take $60. I was under the assumption that they would take my card info like apple store just to verify it's a valid credit card. I did not know they would take money from me! Sent a email back to ask for refund, declined by couchsurfing

European Laws demands companies to provide the option for a refund within the first 14 days of the purchase.

Desired outcome: I WANT A FULL REFUND OF THE 60€

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6:54 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International Couch Surfing

Do not download the Couch Surfing app or sign up for this app. They are total scammers. Once you have your account set up they will ask if you want to verify your account. They will offer you two options. With two buttons. One is verified through Facebook and the other one says verify with credit card. Being that the Facebook verification would be free I assumed that they would only verify my Couchsurfing account using my credit card information, free of charge. It was not transparent that they would charge $60 once I hit that button. I asked for Couchsurfing to reimburse that and they denied my request. I am having to dispute it through my credit card now. This apparently is a very common problem because I see it all over the internet. I think couch surfing started out as a reputable app and it has turned into a greedy money grab.

Desired outcome: I want a full refund of my $60.

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Elena Vitkovska
, US
Aug 07, 2023 10:11 am EDT
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Same. Please let me know how your case presentation progresses.

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7:13 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International Account removed

Lack of transparency

I had more than 200 positive references and 0 negative references. I've contributed a lot to CS, organizing events, hosting lot of people and growing up the community here I currently live, because when i arrived it was totally dead. Many people through me join CS and I've done so many strong connections with many good people.

I become ambassador and I was starting to host many people, I did had a issue with one couchsurfer and when I did send the evidences they didn't believe because they were telling that the screenshots were raising lots of doubts. I had more proves and they didn't take actions. I did organizing one event and one guy from Bulgaria didn't even know me and wrote them about the couchsurfer and after that they removed the negative reference through a third party. I felt hurt because they wouldn't reinstate my title of ambassador and they told me to wait 6 months for reconsideration.. While I was frustrated with all the situation and false statements that the couchsurfer did about me, I did respect and move forward.

2 days ago suddenly, they cancel all my events that I had for my upcoming trips and I couldn't access to the platform, and when I contacted them, they reply: Your profile was been removed due to terms of violation.

I've asked them again and the same answer. Telling that was a very serious violation when I did nothing wrong..

No more explanation, as simple as that.

I've been a very active member that built a big community and now they don't want to welcome me anymore in the app, when they are many couchsurfers who are being toxic and disrespectful with many other members inside the app.

Everything I build by myself was destroyed and they don't recognise my efforts, values and dedications inside the platform. CS should not be like this. I even don't deserve another chance which is unfair.

Rumours from a friend that one ambassador got his profile reported and got removed due to a violation regarding sexual harassment. After they give him back the profile and the ambassador title.. But no ones talks about it, and so many stories regarding the person who is in the safe and trust headquarters providing services who is using multiples names as Gigi, Renne and so on.

Also we are paying contributions for having this type of service where we have lack of transparency and having the same all replies without a clear explanation? They don't want to listen what we have to say. If someone report you because they don't like you, how they will know if they are not lying to screw up your reputation?

They are multiples cases of people suffering with the same situation and couchsurfer is losing millions of users these nowadays.

The contributions are going to where? Maybe to a certain person who is travelling with our payments...

This is what you get when you are good member and they want to stop you to keep doing your good work..

You send emails and they try to avoid answering, people that you consider friends they care about you and they don't even help. They just care about themselves.

They took me everything, it's hurting me a lot but Karma someday will solve everything.

Hope that Couchsurfing someday have some drastical changes for everyone have a better organization, humble, ready to listen and provide more support. I'm feeling very disappointed with everything that is happening in couchsurfing.

Telling this, please be aware of such things.

That's why Cs is literally loosing a lot of people so quickly, when they removed them for the app without giving explanation and don't even give another chance ...

Nothing more to relate.

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12:22 pm EDT
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Couchsurfing International Cancel paypal identity verification

Hello. Today is Sat, the 1st of July, 2023. I made a PayPal Identity Verification for COUCHSURFING but I didn't know that I have to pay for it! There was nothing that indicated that! I need my money back! I can't afford this at all! I really need it! Sorry for the misunderstanding! Thank you in advance! Best Wishes Heidi Christina Thiesgen PS: Transaktionscode 6E405495D4506770T Transaktionsdatum 01.07.2023 15:29:10 MESZ Händler CouchSurfing International, Inc. [protected]@couchsurfing.com [protected]

Desired outcome: Money back!

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5:08 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International I need my refund! RM262

Same as under complaints under Verification payment/subscription.

I want the refund for this. Please help me too! Already talk to their customer service, but seems it didnt want to help to refund. Without mentioning the cost for the lifetime subscription, then simply charged my credit card. is it the California law can be use to me? Im outside USA.

Desired outcome: Refund RM262

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11:08 am EDT

Couchsurfing International Subscription payment

Today (may 29th 2023) i wanted to buy a monthly subscription for couchsurfing, and i clicked on the MONTHLY one but you charged me for a early subscription, so instead of 1250 tenge (which is about $3) i got charged 27400 tenge (which is around $60). Also the transaction was not completed through 2 factor authentication, meaning that i did not recieve any codes to my phone number to complete it. The money got charged immediately. I want to get a full refund

Desired outcome: I want to get a full refund and cancel my subscription

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MalaysianBoy
, US
Jun 02, 2023 4:56 am EDT
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I got the same issue here. So sad! What do we need to do now?

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3:23 am EDT

Couchsurfing International Verification payment of &56

Hi I’d like to ask full refund of €56 back to my bank account immediately. I made it by mistake. This is a big mistake. I only wanted to pay €2,99. It’s a big mistake. Please give me full refund back to my account immediately.
Receipt from Couchsurfing International, Inc
Receipt #[protected]
AMOUNT PAID
€56.00
DATE PAID
Apr 19, 2023, 5:28:34 PM
PAYMENT METHOD
Mastercard - 4846
SUMMARY
Couchsurfing Lifetime Verification [protected]@gmail.com €56.00
Amount charged €56.00

I thought it was a simple
Verification of account without having to pay. It didn’t tell me or inform me that I need to pay it just right away ask for my payment information I was so confused why I got charged and I want my money back. I have sent an email on April 19,2023 and nobody get back with me. It’s like my case was just ignored. I didn’t feel heard. Ths is so frustrating for me. (#1822195) One of the many cases that were already created. I was in Madrid Spain for holiday when I installed the app for the first time and now I just got back in Denmark

Desired outcome: Full refund of €56 back to my account immediately

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Swapnil Shimpi
, US
Sep 04, 2023 5:06 am EDT
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Is there any update on this ? Did you get the refund? Even i got charged 2 days nack and i see 57 euros deducted from my account . i have raised a tickt to them . But seems like this is a known issue .

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11:56 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International Couchsurfing Verification Charge

I logged onto Couchsurfing after a number of inactive years, as I was looking for some accommodation. The site informed me that I now had to pay for the service, and I thought this was reasonable, so I signed up for their monthly subscription. I was then asked if I wanted to verify my account. It was not made at all clear that this would cost me £51! I would never have agreed to that if it had been clear. I would like a refund.

Desired outcome: Refund of £51

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12:41 pm EST

Couchsurfing International Scammers (not what it was)

I am one of the very old users. Didnt use the account past 3 years but now logged in again. I was fine to pay 3.30 euro per month to host people.

But surprise.

They took down 69 euro from my account without my consent. Big time scammers and very sad to someone who used to love the community and met amazing people on the way.

R.I.P. couch surfing.

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8:56 am EST

Couchsurfing International Misleading verification process

I was randomly surfing and found this website Couchsurfing website which simply said to create an account and in that process debited an amount of 4.8k Indian Rupees. I wrote to them that I'm least interested in the website and I do not want to use their service as it's not of any use to me they simply did not bother responding and closed the tickets

Ticket : https://support.couchsurfing.org/hc/en-us/requests/1754715

account link : https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/saravana-kumar-53

@

Desired outcome: No Response

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4:47 pm EST

Couchsurfing International Please refund my money

I was mislead by the complicated yet smooth verification process. I am from a developing country and those 60 USD were half my monthly salary. I need the money I never thought verification would cost money. I would have never downloaded the app innthe first place if I knew I would be that scam. i thought entering my paypal account would be for any further payments for later not for a direct payment. It was not mentioned any where! Please refund my money I am desperate and need it.

Desired outcome: Refund of 60 USD

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9:56 am EDT
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Couchsurfing International Couchsurfing verification fees

Couchsurving credit 56euros from my bank account without asking permission.

I've sent them an email for refund and they answered that they do not refund.

The problem is that there was no notification that the verification cost 56euros!

There was just a question "Would you like to verify your account" I clicked "yes" 1 day after I found out they took 56euros thank to my banc account app.

Desired outcome: I would like a written apology + Refund + Clarify in the website that the verification cost 56euros

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7:14 am EDT

Couchsurfing International Verification charges

Last night July 19 at approx 2:30 in the morning when I was trying to set up my couchsurfing account I thought it would be best if I became verified. So I went through the list of verification things and verified my credit card only to awake this morning with a 60 dollar charge on my account for verification when it said no such thing would occur. This is a [censored]ing outrage. At no point did it say I'd be charges for verification I thought I was just entering my credit card to prove my trustworthiness. But apparently it was so I could be stolen from

Desired outcome: I want a refund, and an apology for shoddy sketchy untransparent practices. I can be reached at [protected]@gmail.com

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Couchsurfing International contacts

Phone number

+1 (415) 404-6611

Website

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