Guest verifications

[Michelle2475]

My policy is to require a complete profile before booking.  New profiles are fine (since they may not have used Airbnb before). My bookings are really low so I was tempted to accept a reservation for four days - supposed family.  It was a brand new profile with only a phone number verified.  The inquiry went through regardless of my settings.  I asked the guest to complete his profile.  He added only an email address but not govt ID.  I explained that he still hadn't added the ID and said "I'm sure you understand" Here is his reply:  "Of course....unfortunately. 🙂 "  I'm not quite sure what he is saying there but as yet he hasn't done it.

Another recent inquiry a guest did not say anything about the stay but only "what the check in process is like".  I asked to her clarify since it's already in my listing.  She then says she sees it's self check in but then asks about whether it's a lock box etc.  I can see where she's from - same state as me (but not where the home is) and it's a really, really, bad area (gangs, drive by shootings, etc).  So I said that if she was worried about getting in I would be close by...crickets.

So my question is do you require a verified ID?  If not, why not?  I feel that if someone isn't willing to verify who they are there could be a problem.  Am I being paranoid?  

[Kathy272]

@Michelle2475If you opt for Instant Book, you can require a profile photo to book.  Instant Book also requires the guest to load a Government ID.  I don't use Instant Book on all my units, but I do for my studio apartment (2 people max).  To be honest, I'm not comfortable will Instant Book for my larger units.

[Michelle2475]

@Kathy272 I won't use Instant Book for a variety of reasons - primarily that I want to screen them first.  It's a private home that sleeps 10 so it would be an invitation to partiers to be able to find a last minute party house.  I actually started sleeping 12 with a lower price and ended up removing a set of bunks and raising my price.  I got better guests then.  However, I'm just not getting the bookings this summer with a greatly reduced rate than last summer. 

I'm just very discouraged right at the moment but don't want to accept people out of desperation.  I'm hoping for some insight.  My daughter says I'm too paranoid,

[Alexandra316]

@Michelle2475 I have always required government ID: I don't think you're being paranoid. That situation with the woman asking for specifics about self check in sounds seriously sketchy and I'd say you may very well have dodged a bullet.

Be aware though that Airbnb doesn't really guarantee anything by collecting the ID: it doesn't mean that the name on the profile matches the name on the ID they supplied, for instance. They may use it to do a background check in some jurisdictions, but that's not guaranteed. If you want to be really sure, you can ask to see the ID on check in. You just have to disclose that's something that you require in your listing. 

[Michelle2475]

@Alexandra316 I live 3 hours away so I don't meet anyone in person.  I told this girl I'd be close by because it made me suspicious.  We don't live in the home but do have a mobile home about 45 minutes away which was very good when we had to kick a group out.

I know that Airbnb doesn't guarantee anything but it at least sends a strong message to the guests.  Well, I think so at least...

[Colleen253]

"I told this girl I'd be close by because it made me suspicious".  and " it at least sends a strong message to the guests".

@Michelle2475 You're definitely on the right track there, and with asking questions of guests, being alert to red flags and trusting your instincts, you're doing a lot to sniff out sketchy bookings.

[Anne-And-Bill1]

We no longer accept local bookings due to a very sketchy situation as you feared.  We currently have the instant booking turned on, but are most likely removing.  Even though we require a government ID many bookings have come through. @Michelle2475 good luck

[Michelle2475]

@Anne-And-Bill1  I'm taking a leap this weekend - I have a booking for a family that lives in the same state and about an hour or two away.  I did ask her (nicely) about why she would not be traveling further for a getaway and her reply was that she just wanted to have new scenery and things to do.  Makes sense since it will be family - sister, parents, children.  I'm crossing my fingers....

[Colleen253]

@Michelle2475  You're not being paranoid, you're being cautious and mindful of red flags, which you're getting, as you've described.

I require guests to have verified ID before booking, as it's a useful added layer in the guest vetting process. You can cut the annoyance of booking requests coming in without it by seeing below. You don't have to use instant book to require this.

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/272/can-i-require-guests-to-be-verified-before-booking#:~:text=Ho....

'Verified by Airbnb' in reality means nothing, but requiring it can help weed out some baddies. If you really want to discourage the baddies, if you can do in person check ins, require visual ID checks. Be sure to list this in your house rules.

[Michelle2475]

@Colleen253 that's for Canada - doesn't work in the US (even though it is supposed to) and I live 3 hours away so in person check ins are not possible.  I'm slowly getting a bit more relaxed but it's been a long road.  

I get booking requests all of the time instead of inquiries.  And the following doesn't happen either:

When questioned Airbnb says "Oh, that shouldn't happen".  It has become a whatever!

[Colleen253]

@Michelle2475 Yes, the box you can check to require verified ID, even without instant book, is not limited to Canadians and you should be able to set this, so something is not right. I have to share a link to that page because for some inexplicable reason, you can’t reach that check box directly from within booking settings. I’ve never found it, anyway. So what happens? Do you mean you check the box and it just doesn’t apply the setting?

Perhaps, since you are getting zero help from Airbnb on it, @Nick or @Liv could look into this technical issue.

[Michelle2475]

@Colleen253 yes, it doesn't apply the setting.  I have called before but thinking about it again maybe it's not a terrible thing as long as it's an inquiry and not a request to book.  I have gotten some newbie's to complete their profile and were fine guests.  I just want to be sure to prevent a request to book not an inquiry.

[Debra300]

@Michelle2475,

I use Instant Book, and require government ID, host recommendation, a pre-booking message, and the booking must be made at least two notice prior to arrival so I have an opportunity to communicate with them and make my final assessment.  I have made one request to a guest for them to cancel, because I didn't think it would be a good fit, and he complied.

I've not had any issues with guests in St. Lucia since almost all of them have to travel to the island, and present identification to Immigration at the port of entry.  Guests are less likely to pull any major shenanigans, because they cannot leave the rock before the authorities would be notified.

[Michelle2475]

@Debra300 I'm in the US and in New England.  My home is in Vermont near two ski mountains.  Most of my guest come from 3-4 hours away by car and are mostly weekend stays.  A lot are only a week or two in advance.  I wish I had the leverage you do! 🙂

[Debra300]

@Michelle2475,

I should have been more clear, and stated that one of our rentals is in Atlanta metro.  Our guests have been a combination of locals, regional getaways, out of state temporary/permanent work relocation, people in between homes, visiting college aged child during winter break, etc.  All of the out of area guests have driven to Georgia.  As I mentioned before, although I use IB I take the opportunity during the pre-arrival period to communicate with guests to vet them.  In my opinion hosts have every right to request proof of valid government ID as a requirement for booking.  I also inform prospective guests that only registered guests are allowed in the property (and send them the Airbnb instructions to add any missing secondary guests).