I wonder if CouchSurfing.com has any mechanism in place for removing users that are convicted of this type of activity.
For that matter, can surfers leave comments about their hosts?
For that matter, can surfers leave comments about their hosts?
When you look for a host, you would normally read their profile and look a their pictures to try and get an idea on the kind of person they may be. You check if they're verified and how many people vouched for them. Low numbers and not being verified may be enough reason to choose someone else, especially if traveling alone, though personally, everyone has to start somewhere, so if Im in a group, I don't care so much. People can meet couchsurfers for drinks or at events anyway as a way to "break in". Finally, I'd check the comments people left. Most people who read comments take negative comments pretty seriously, though obviously some people don't bother.
Over all, I think this works pretty well. The biggest danger would be to people who are using couchsurfing purely to get free accommodation, since they're unlikely to put as much effort into checking people out beforehand. Personally, I don't bother, unless I'm being hosted or they're hosting me - if its for a meeting or a drink, then I'll see what they're like when I meet them.
Obviously this system leaves plenty of room for problems.. Sadly its not too hard to misrepresent yourself. It seems extremely rare though, luckily.
Personally, I've never had ANY problems of any kind and ave not met any couchsurfers who have had any either. It does work - usually.