Hello all,
I have been a host since August 2019 and have had (2) incidences happen with (2) different guest. I am wondering if I can get any advice and/or if anyone else has had similar situation happen to them.
First incident: I had a reservations for 28 days for two adults and two children, they showed up with (3) dogs a saint Bernard, a New Foundland and another small dog. I do accept pet upon approval only. I was unsure if I could cancel or how to handle the situation without getting a bad review and/or fined or not make the preferred host status so I let them stay. Yes later I did learn that I could of cancelled them, but that is hindsight. Week 2 I received mail at my address for the bnb guest from department of economic security. I told them they could not use my address for any mail. Then the last day they stayed I received a knock at my door it was the police looking for the male guest that was staying. Apparently he had used my address to register as a sex offender. Which in the state of AZ they put a flyer out to all your neighbors with your address, a photo of the offender and a list of their charges and it is listed on their website. After speaking to the officer he said he would not be putting the flyer out because the guest was leaving that day. Thank goodness. But the officer let me read his file making me aware of his convictions of rape and molestation, also let me know the guest were going to be staying at another BnB locally. In addition to them using my address there was extensive damage done and items missing. I called Airbnb customer support asked a lot of questions and was told the security team would be reaching out to discuss all of my questions. I was concerned about other host knowing this information. After 3 calls I never did hear back from security team. I did do a claim for damages, Airbnb had to get involved but I did receive 95% of requested damage claim.
Second incident: I just had a guest stay from 20th to the 23rd, he was very quite, place was clean, great guest. I left a review stating I would recommend him. Then today on the 26th he reached out to me asking for a favor. He stated he had his wallet, cell phone and some other items stolen from him while he was here in AZ. He had a package coming to my house and asked if I could receive it and if he could come pick it up from me. He sent me a screen shot of the delivery notification that stated it was UPS overnight air delivery, requiring a signature. Granted he left on the 23rd and it is the 26th. It all seemed sketchy to me. First and foremost he should not be using my address for anything. Second, I was not comfortable with signing for anything. Why wouldn't he just have it delivered to his family who he was "visiting". If he had stuff that was stolen why would they be shipping it back to him? When I asked all these questions he stated that they found a number in his wallet and contacted him and he thought it would be delivered while he was still at the house. I let him know unfortunately I would not be able to accept his package. Fast forward 2 hours, he reach out again asking if he could sit in front of my house to get the package. Then 15 min. later UPS shows up asking for a Tyson Taylor which is not the guest name. UPS driver asked if he lived here we said no. UPS driver stated that he had a gentleman approach him at the Safeway parking lot down the street from me asking him if he had a package for my address. The UPS driver asked him if he lived at that address the gentleman said yes he lived there. UPS said yes I have a package for that address, he would need to see his ID before he could release the package to him. The gentleman said he did not have an ID, he was pleading to get the package stating he just don't have an ID because he is not from here. The UPS driver told him he would have to get it when he got home. I advised the UPS driver to mark the package as suspicious and notify his supervisor. He did, then came back to tell me that his supervisor said that I should probably call the police to report it. They guy probably stole a credit card and ordered stuff to have it delivered to the bnb having the host sign for it. I called Airbnb to report the guest suspicious behavior asking if they can flag his account or something so no other host are put in this situation. The representative stated that they really don't put anything in the guest file flagging it for either of these instances. It is up to the host to leave the bad review. I asked if she could look through the guest past communication with other host to see if this is a pattern. She said Airbnb does not really get into any legal matters. My concern is not only for myself but for future host. I have now left a good review that went south. Tried editing review but was unable to.
Being new to being a host I am wondering is this common? Both happened within a month of each other. Any advice would be appreciated.
