Verify guest & Questionable Guest?

[Chris-And-Rachel0]

I tried to post this earlier, but not sure it got posted.

We got a request from an AirBNBer who wanted to book for their friends. They friends have no reviews, but I think they're staying somewhere in Boston with an AirBNB reservation they made,  but AirBNB is not letting them verify more or something?

Hello Chris, hello Rachel, we are the Friends for xxxxx She forwarded me your message. We are X&Y from Germany and we are on a trip from Boston to New York. The Problem is we can´t book with our account because Airbnb want´s to verify the Account. We booked your (I'm guessing they mean "our") Stay in Boston and New York before without any problem. We did everything what they want (upload Picture of Passport, connection to ....  and then a error message occured "Not possible the Moment".   We will be glade if it is possible to book via (Our Friend Name)´s-Account. Thanks and have a good Time X&Y

[Alice-and-Jeff0 · Accepted solution]

Just say no.  They have access to a computer - they can get their account validated.  You require a fully verified ID before booking - stick to that policy.  

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Either you take bookings from unverified guests or you don't - personally I would avoid this booking as they have plenty of opportunity to become verified.

[Deborah1]

2nd party reservations are never a good idea. The person staying needs to book.

[Claire201]

I'm wanting to find out how a guest is verified, whether this is something I do or Airbnb does. I requested that only certain guests can book with additional requirements such as government ID be submitted. How do I know that this has been submitted to Airbnb and that they have been verified? Or is this something I request? 

[Toma0]

Hi Claire: Airbnb verification is a mystery to me. Their platform is not very user friendly and as such I have encountered a number of issues.  On the whole, my Airbnb guests were great... I did run into some issues with a few requests. If interested in  details, please let me.

Regards,

Toma 

[Marit-Anne0]

@Claire201

You check their profile.  Like I am doing now with your profile and I find you have a verified e-mail and a verified phone number.  Some hosts demand a higher verification level, like government ID.

[Claire201]

Thanks Marit Anne. I am new to Airbnb and so is my guest that is wanting to book. So I am asking for a copy of his government ID so I can verify against his profile picture and social media searches. I am renting out my
entire house for two weeks and want to be sure that my much loved home will
be safe.

[Marit-Anne0]

You should ask the guest to upload ID to their profile.  If they reluctant to do this, I would take that as a red flag.  If your potential guest has difficulties registering, suggest he contacts airbnb for assistance.  

For security reasons, he may not be willing to give you his ID prior to booking and for same reasons you should not exchange personal details until the booking is done. When checking-in you may ask for ID and compare with profile picture.

[Claire201]

Hi Marit Anne,

I just want want to thank you very much for your advice.

I wasn't entirely sure how the verify ID worked but your response made it very clear to me.

My guest through trying and not being successful asked if he could email me and send me the money directly which goes against the Airbnb requirement and puts me at risk. I had to be firm and keep directing him to the verify ID process. So thanks for your good advice. I feel more at ease with this process in place.

Regards
Claire

[Marit-Anne0]

@Claire201

My pleasure.  Asking to deal outside the platform is another red flag - now I am pretty confident this person had the intention of scamming you.  

[Marion149]

Hi Claire, i would like this answered too. I did ask a guest to upload government ID but he said that the airbnb website wouldn't let him upload it so that i could see it. Like you I would like to see some proof of their ID with my own eyes and not just on the say so of Airbnb. So do other experienced hosts think it's ok to ask potential guests for this ID, full name, email and contact number and maybe even their home address? Any suggestions please for first time host.

Also what is a reasonable amount to charge for cleaning etc and allowing a pet - usually a dog. Thanks, marion

[Helen3]

Go into your listing and set it to only take guests with fully verified ID.

if you search this forum you will find lots of posts about this issue or the help section on BNB explains how it works.

[Vicki76]

I had a similar problem last night. Why isn't my account requiring the photo goernment id check??  When i went to check on S___ 's account, it had just been made and only an email & phone number used to verify him.  The photo was a generic.  I had originally asked for this higher level of security.  Also he wanted to come in late and on the same night.  In the end I said I required verification.  The problem I can't figure out is -  why isn't Airbnb requiring the government id for him.  Have i changed my settings?  How do i get the higher livel again.  I have read that article 5 times and still can't change my account to rule out folks without a government id.    vicki

[Marit-Anne0]

@Vicki76

You have Instant Book activated, so getting a request indicates that they do not meet your requirements.  They may still send you a request for you to evaluate, but they cannot book instantly.