Guest Scam

[Stephne0]

So this will only be my second booking but I think I was scammed. The girl said she lived in Memphis and her brother and his wife were coming to visit her and wanted to stay at my place. She has several positive reviews from hosts but when I asked for her to add her brother to the reservation she said he doesn't have a profile. Then she gave me a local Memphis number for him which made me suspicious. Then I googled her name and found the following. It sure does look like her. What would you do?

https://www.fox13memphis.com/top-stories/tennessee-women-arrested-after-175-pounds-marijuana-113k-an...

[Colleen253]

@Stephne0 I did not click your link. I will say it’s usually best to trust your gut. 

If it was an instant booking, you can cancel it penalty free. If not, contact Airbnb and ask them to do a neutral cancellation with no penalties to you, as it’s a third party booking. 

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/2022/can-a-host-cancel-a-reservation-without-adverse-consequences

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/427/booking-for-friends-and-family

[Chris2003]

So the person who booked the property isn't going to be staying there? It's only her brother and his wife? If so then that's not allowed under AirBnB guidelines.

If she's booked because she's staying there as well, then that's fine.. Although I would find that very unusual if she lives in the same town as your AirBnB. That scenario has never happened to me in 300+ bookings.

[Sarah977]

@Chris2003  Because I only host 1 guest at a time in a private room, that's never happened to me either, but it isn't that odd. Sometimes a local has friends or family coming to town, but they live in a tiny apartment or with roommates- there's no space for anyone else. So their visiting family has to stay elsewhere, and they may stay there with them, so they can all be together.

Not saying that's the case here, but it can happen without being scammy or sketchy.  

[Debra300]

@Stephne0,

I agree with @Sarah977 that there are some reasonable instances why a local may book an Airbnb.  However, I'd insist that the brother be added to the reservation, and inform the sister that if she doesn't check-in or it appears that she's not staying at the place during, the reservation will be canceled.  Inform her that this is for everyone's protection, because only registered guests are entitled to any Airbnb services, and hosts are covered for damages/incidents caused only by registered guests

[Sarah977]

@Debra300 @Stephne0  Yes, I wasn't suggesting you accept a third party booking at all- you should not.

I was just explaining to Chris why it isn't that weird for a local to book a place for family, but the booker has to be among the guests who are staying- if not, the staying guests need to book for themselves.

[Debra300]

@Sarah977,

I didn't infer from your post that you were suggesting a third-party booking should be accepted.  I read it is giving very sound reasons why a local might book an Airbnb.  My comment about requiring that the brother be added to the reservation was a bit in reference to previous posts where I've read that folks who've been banned on Airbnb get someone else in good-standing to make the reservation for them (dumb move by anyone who agrees to do this).

[Helen3]

@Stephne0  Airbnb makes it clear you shouldn't be accepting third party bookings. I would advise the person who made the booking that only the people who are staying can book. Advise her to contact Airbnb to cancel the booking and have her 'brother' set up his own profile and book.

Always vet your guests to ask the purpose of their visit and why they chose your place to help ensure there is a good fit. (and help you weed out guests with red flags).