Obvious Fake Guest operating scam in local area

[Anthony608]

I have seen a fair number of other threads about fake guest profiles, but I wanted to share about an obvious fake profile operating a scam in my local area, which has already been reported to AirBNB, but they don't seem to be too concerned.

The guest profile appeared about a year ago.  I received from him in six months about three pre-approval booking inquiries.  They all said the same thing - mainly that he wanted to book the room for a large number of days, was "moving into an apartment" and needed the room right away.  The first of these I agreed to, since I thought I had a good opportunity for a booking and there were no real warning signs.  However, the pre-approvals would then expire, and then the guest began sending numerous messages through AirBNB asking for extensive details about the house.  They claimed that they couldn't book before, but now they could, and needed the room right away.

The first time this happened, I answered their question and confirmed the dates they needed.  I then stated once they booked they would be sent check-in details about the home.  More messages followed, asking details about did I live alone in the house, who else would be there, and also they wanted the specific street address prior to booking so they could come and see the house before booking.  I explained this was against AirBNB policy, and the messages stopped.  Then, several weeks later - pre-approval request again, asking about the room, moving into an apartment, need it right away, etc, etc.  An obvious script which was being repeated.

Another reason I know this is a fake profile is that, after it didn't work out with me, had they been legitimate, they would have found another room since they "needed the room right away".  Yet, here we are a year later with no reviews on the profile of any kind.

https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/240744921

Just the other day, you guessed it, round four with this guy.  Another message about moving into the apartment and needing the room right away.  Part of me is very curious what this guy is actually up to (anyone have an opinion?).  The profile has now been reported to AirBNB three times and it is bewildering why it is still being allowed to operate.

[Charles224]

@Anthony608 thanks for sharing this.

Scammers (potential robbers) like this will always just make a new profile.. As a community we need to hear all the stories we can ! 

[Mark116]

@Anthony608  Sounds like potential thieves trying to scope out the house.

[Anthony608]

@Mark116 @Charles224 - What really confuses me is what these people are hoping to achieve.  I think its clear they are trying to get a hold of the address to the house, but why go to all the trouble when they can just pick a random house?  I also live in the same home where I rent rooms, so if someone really did try to break in or commit a burglary, I would be here to stop them (especially now, as I work from home because of the virus).

Ironically, there was just a week ago another account that tried this.  They booked with me, cancelled a few minutes later, then contacted me directly asking for money.  I think it might have been some type of scam to get a double refund as they contacted AirBNB at the same time as well.  Support just reached out to me and I told them in no uncertain terms i would not issue a refund because we had dispatched a housekeeper for a same day booking and also that I thought this was a fraudulent account.

https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/293531978

[Colleen253]

@Anthony608    "...just a week ago another account that tried this.  They booked with me, cancelled a few minutes later, then contacted me directly asking for money." 

Why are you allowing a booking like this to happen? Why are you even engaging in back and forth with suspect profiles? A scam inquiry should = instant block/report and move on. It shouldn't become a booking. Do you do any vetting of guests at all?

Turn off instant book and change your settings to not allow same day booking requests. At minimum, require two days notice and also check the 'address supplied 48 hrs after booking' box.

[Anthony608]

@Colleen253- The settings I have now do not actually grant same day bookings.  I have what is called "Advanced Notice", where a same day rental must contact me and I must agree.  I rarely do this, especially for local people, and never for a local account with no reviews.  In most cases, these same day bookings are typically strange people but I've never had any real serious trouble.  20% of them never show up and of those that do about 30% don't stay the night.  I suppose drugs or prostitution might be an explanation, I don't know.  The legitimate same day bookings are usually people traveling who didn't get as far as they thought and need a place to stay for the night.

As far as Instant Book, a good 80% of my business is IB rentals and the AirBNB search filters I think are actually designed to show these properties ahead of others which are not IB, depending on how the person conducts the search.  90% of my rentals are normal people and now, with the virus, Instant Books are bringing in the most rentals, that is for certain.

[Kathy111]

Recently Scammer try to get the address for different reasons Airbnb should not  give out the address of listing right away  should be 24 hour before booking day I have guest booked  and asked me the address I said Airbnb will send it to you she cancel it couple minutes after that . I hope she does not get all information Of my listing and cancel it ! I Call Airbnb customer service and concern about the matter recently I hope the listening closely and fixes It To protect host and present guests. 

[Gina291]

Quick question! I can bot find the 'address supplied 48 hrs after booking' box

[Debra300]

@Anthony608,

I am in agreement with @Mark116, these guys sound like they want to rob you and your home.  They probably will watch you for some period of time to see your schedule, and who's in the house, and pick a time when they think you are most vulnerable to rob you.  People like this could be dangerous, because they may to extreme lengths to get what they want and avoid getting caught by the police.

[Nanxing0]

I'm currently having a very strict limit on local guests that I'm not accepting any local guest (including surrounding towns) with new account (no past review). I have been having too many issues with some local a--holes. Some guests find it frustrating as there are still good local guests around, but I can't really help by risking that much. Starting with the pandemic I've seen the quality of the local guests went down ten folds. Also, there's a pandemic there, so there's absolutely no need to book local listings other than staying at home. 

[Kathy111]

Hi thank you for sharing Your story . me too they try to message me many times , the Create a different  potential guess they ask if they booked and  can Use the mailbox to receive mails or gift, they want to get to the mailbox I said if you long-term stay and we will get mailed to you but you cannot go direct to the mailbox I call Airbnb and concern that many fake guest they try to get information for stealing mails of unemployment check hope Airbnb will fix it 

[Anthony608]

@Kathy111- Do not **ever** agree to receive mail for guests.  Someone seeking to get mail at your address means they want to establish residency, especially if it has anything to do with utilities, a drivers license, or taxes (like a paystub).  Once they start getting mail, it is next to impossible to have them removed if they chose to overstay and become a squatter.  I am very fortunate that I have a detached P.O. Box so if someone mails a letter to my house, it is returned to sender, if not simply discarded. 

The one loophole is packages, which in my case are left on the front porch.  I have had a few guests receive packages at the house, and I now have a very strongly worded house rule to not attempt to mail packages to the house.  No one has tried it for a while, expect one guest who has had food delivered to the house using Instacart.  He technically now has a receipt with my address on it.  I spoke to him privately about the matter and it was clear he was just trying to buy groceries.  Receipts for food delivery, especially for routine things like Pizza and Chinese Food, are probably not cause for concern, especially for short term guests, but I still keep an eye on anyone who stays with me who starts getting regular deliveries or any kind at my address.

[Kathy111]

Yes. I still deal with them .... many massages a day with different names... I reported them and block. We hope Airbnb do something about it. And thank you