Title: Guest Blackmail: What to Do When a Guest Threatens a 1-Star Review

It starts with a message: "I’ll forget about the 'stain' on the rug if you give me a full refund, otherwise, I’ll have to mention it in my review." This is Review Extortion, and it is a direct violation of Airbnb’s Terms of Service.

How to Handle Extortion Like a Pro:

1. Stop the Negotiation: Never agree to a "pay-for-delete" scheme. It rarely works and makes you look guilty to Airbnb.

2. Keep Them Talking (On the App): Try to get the guest to state their threat clearly in the Airbnb chat. Ask a clarifying question like, "Just to be clear, are you saying you will only leave a positive review if I send you a refund?"

3. Report Immediately: Do not wait for the review to be posted. Report the conversation to Airbnb Support the moment the threat is made. This "pre-emptive strike" tags the guest's account and makes it much easier to get the review removed later.

The BnbReviewDoctor Cure: Extortion cases are often a "he-said, she-said" battle. We help you gather the digital "DNA" from your chat logs to prove to Airbnb that you are being blackmailed.