Scam listing?

[Ryan129]

I've read plenty of scams regarding listings but I have an inquiry I have copied below. The first is their initial inquiry. I then "pre approve" and you can then see their follow up message. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Ryan (Homeowner)

Hello,

We would like to book your home for 2+ weeks. We are a group of 5 adults in the area for business and need to check in tomorrow, 1/24.

We attempted to book directly through the Air BnB site, but could not.

Please call or email so we can arrange payment and check in information.

Thanks,
Josh
(PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
(EMAIL HIDDEN)

Thanks Ryan, I am back on Airbnb site but it will not let me process it for some reason (they require a credit card statement, but this is a new business credit card and we do not have a statement yet. I put in my personal credit card information and it would not let me switch from the original credit card to the personal one). We will be in town this afternoon, is there anyway for us to meet in person at the house so I can give you a check, or can we talk by phone today so I can give you my credit card number? Thanks, Josh

[Linda108]

@Ryan129   Ding, Ding, Ding...red flag.  While it is possible this problem is happening, I would decline this request with a message that perhaps they would be better suited to continue with their plans at a hotel.  The risk is higher than the possible income.  Of course people do this all the time when they list with Craig's List.  Personally I have opted for what limited protection I can feel with the Air BNB system rather than the Craig's List platform.

[Rafa15]

Hi Ryan,

Is Josh a young, black guy which black glasses and a cap in his profile picture? Cause if is him, he just rented a room in my place this weekend with another guy and they where thieves!! They got into my room when I was not there and used several debit/credit cards on my name making Airbnb bookings, took cheque books and stole some items. I tried to upload his profile picture, but I think it does not work...

Regards,

Rafa

[Dee9]

I highly recommend flagging this persons account! (find the picture of a little flag and click it).

NEVER give home address outside of the airbnb platform

[Roz4]

Imagine by off chance they are legit? Sounds like a good opportunities ty if u have those dates open last min. Why not get Airbnb to call them to process their payment? I had Airbnb call a guest once who just was not making the system work. Then u won't be left wondering and if it's a scam Airbnb can sort it out! 

[Dee9]

@Roz4its a scammer

[Clare0]

Hello all!  Actually Airbnb IS asking selected people to provide a copy of their credit card statement for verification purposes! Can't tell you which guests are asked to do this, but I know that additional verification is required when someone uses someone else's credit card to pay for a reservation.  Most of the time it is a parent's, spouse's or friend's credit card and Airbnb is trying to make sure the charge is authorized.  So, it's not an unusual situation. 🙂

[Roz4]

Thanks for that @Clare0. While there  certainly are scanners out there, more often than not I have found strange "glitches" in the system do occur to genuine guests. I've always kept an open mind while working thru the systems and within the system. In the old days people had their B&B addresses printed in AAA magazines for the world to see. So for someone unfamiliar with Airbnb and it's system it's not so strange to think you could just ask them for your address and it will all be fine. It doesn't make that person a criminal, it just means they need some Airbnb education. 

[Dee9]

Maybe some people missed the part where the guy said he wants to meet you at your house?!?! Why anyone here is encouraging you to go ahead and give out your address WITHOUT being covered under airbnb is ludacris. So maybe they should be the ones giving this guy and his FOUR friends a place to stay seeing as he's planning on showing up anyway. 

Good luck and let us know how it works out. But airbnb always advises to never do a transaction off the site. And anyone who is encouraging you to do that should not be a member of airbnb 

[Roz4]

@Dee9 who was suggesting she give out her address? I don't think anyone was? 

[Dee9]

The entire question is based on some guy wanting to come to her house outside of the airbnb platform. Maybe you're not reading what I'm reading. Cuz there are some of you encouraging that MAYBE it's legit. Well MAYBE it's not. Err on the side of caution. Go with your gut on this (which is the whole reason you posted here) - this reservation request should not be entertained and should be flagged. I hope that's what you did. 

Where are the forum monitors when you need them. 

[Ryan129]

All, thank you for the replies.  Here is an update.  

The renter was able to get his credit card to process.  Before accepting I reached out to Airbnb to have a look at the conversation and his previous attempts with his credit card.  She advised me that they do not in fact require a CC statement as verification.  So this renter went to the trouble in doing so and was able to process.

I accepted the rental and met him out there to get a feel for things.  This looks to be on the up and up and have his business card and other contact information should something go south.  Looks like money transfered on time the next day.

Again thanks for the reply and hopefully this will help someone out.  I believe I heard Airbnb has a new Clearing company they bought so maybe we are seeing the security of transactions tighten up.

Take care,

Ryan

[Roz4]

I'm so glad you were able to work through it in a safe way and you got a great outcome. It's great to be cautious with an open mind. 

[Jaki2]

I've gotten a few inquiries from folks who say they are having a problem paying through the airbnb site. I assume they are asking if we'll be willing to book outside of airbnb so they can save the fees. I tell them to ask airbnb for help, then I preapprove, letting them know it's so they can just go ahead and book when it's all straightened out. 3 out of 4 times they do.