BEWARE OF INSTANT BOOKINGS BY GUESTS FOR NEXT DAY

[Jeff69]

I have had to turn OFF instant booking recently because of a serier of similar incidents.  Over the past couple of weeks, I have had 2 next day instant bookings, "to visit family in town", which I did not think much about, until the second guest arrived.  He was verified through Airbnb and lived in Santa Maria California with a CA phone number.  

Yet, he had no luggage, he was in a black Escalade with totally blacked out windows, and FL plates - so you could not see the other guests, and rental companies don't provide cars like that.  I told him, the dryer was broken and I would have a service person look at it, and I would text him the wifi password.  He proceeded to give me a local phone number.  When I questioned him about the phone number, he said he used to live here, which is why he is returning to visit friends.  

While in my car, texting him the password, the back door of the Escalade opened, then immediately closed, and they remained in the car for (no exaggeration ) 10 minutes while I sat in my car watching them, after which they drove off without exiting the car.  My front door is a key pad door lock which registers each time the door opens and closes.  That evening, feeling very uncomfortable with the guests,  at 11:00pm I checked my computer app for the door history, and the door opened 77 times between 2pm and 11pm.  Absolutely, unusual for guests coming to town to visit family and friends.  

Next day, I made the excuse that I needed to see the dryer, and there were 2 different cars in the driveway.  I texted the guest, and he said NO NEED, I WON'T BE USING THE DRYER".  I told him I was just down the street, and no problem if he was not home, I had a key. I politely knocked, and heard shuffling in the house, and after knocking 2x and then getting ready to open the door, a different man answered the door, while another closed the bedroom door and another closed himself in the bathroom.  Total count - 4 men.  

So I decided to ask where was the host - JOHNNY... (who's name on Airbnb was different).  One guy said he was showering in the bathroom, never asking "who is Johnny".   

MY REAL CONCERN IS THAT PEOPLE ARE USING AIRBNB AND OTHER VACATION RENTAL SITES TO RENT HOUSES FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.  Since yesterday - I have had 3 more "NEXT DAY" requests to book, and in researching the guest further, found out they have local phone numbers or IDENTICAL phone numbers.   

I reported this activity to Airbnb, who I am sure will take measures, but I think the HOST COMMUNITY needs to be aware that criminals are wising up and using alias' to rent properties for short periods of time and running illegal activities out of the house.

BE CAREFUL - BE SMART - BE SAFE.  

Jeff - Tampa Florida USA

[Brett25]

You can setup basic requirements on the Airbnb site as part of your dashboard. Select -> Your Listings -> Reservation Requirements

and also you can get more specific from the 'booking' menu option which allow your to specify govt ID and/or recommended guests.

[Prue0]

Sounds like drugs....

In my case it was a normal booking for a flat 10 days from a European girl and her 'sister ' during the summer- they were reluctant to let us in to service half way through but otherwise fine.... they rebooked recently - 10 days same girl plus 'friend' but this time my cleaner saw 3 different men going into the flat when she was down there on three separate occasions over the ensuing 24 hours... and the female friend had changed. 

When I checked her history I found that she had visited either Bristol or Cardiff every month for a while for the previous six months... hard to know how anyone can afford a social life on that scale!

I suspect there was something going on that was not legal so I reported and she has been removed but obviously others will have realised that air bnb places make a good base for sex work as well as drugs. In this case I think the history/reviews gave the clearest clue. If you find someone has been visiting the same city regularly but not going out to work it might be questionable.

[Jolanta1]

Yes! Human trafficking with underage girls, credit card fraud/extortion and drugs- of course. Kinda goes with the package! 

[Wesam0]

Great post but how do you vet the guest for $9.95, can you share that so all of us can be safe.

Thanks

Sam

[Amy38]

You can subscribe to a credit check service for about 20/month for unlimited backgound checks...just be advised ,  this is not legal unless the subject agrees to it, but then, who is to know?

[Carol160]

Did I miss the info to vet a guest?  WHat is IB--I am brand new to ABB -can you tell? Carol

[Andrea9]

@Carol160

Most hosts here get a bit tired of typing Instant Book and Airbnb a gajillion times a day 😉

So it's morphed into IB and ABB.

Without reading the rest of the thread at this point - vetting a guest is having a conversation on the booking message thread to see if they fit. Double check that they noticed X, Y, Z in the listing (anything that other people didn't like steep stairs, that it's a room even though they wrote they loved the apartment, etc.), why would they be interested in booking even though they are locals, or if 4 young lads want to book, remind them that your listing isn't a party venue and that other guests who are not on the booking would be trespassing). It's your home, so ask away. With time you'll become a no-nonsense interviewer in more round-about ways!

Of course this doesn't work with IB.

[Bruce-and-Kathy0]

Great advice about the vetting (asking questions to engage for attitudes, etc.).

[C68]

Hello Bruce and Kathy, may I please ask what questions you ask to engage for attitudes?

[Jolanta1]

I ask, what do you do for a living? If pause follows and next thing you hear- ‘I’m between jobs right now’... That is it for me. Then my next question follows ‘ how do you feel about me being 2nd amendment of US Constitution supporter? Ha-ha-ha.... Then even longer pause take place! Simple and free of charge lol 

[Marge4]

Share the sort of questions you suggest are asked to verify guest identities Momi - this could be very useful for other hosts!

Thanks

Marge  South Africa

[AnnMarie3]

Loved Hawaii!!!!

[Cheryl9]

I applaud you on taking  your own security measures.  My concern as a single woman bringing guests into my home, in the bedroom next to mine, is similar to yours.  I assume, like me,  you do not accept instant bookings.  Do you find Airbnb's attempt to overcome discrimination with their new policy and their promotion of hosts who accept instant bookings detremental to the success of your property.  I communicate with each guest I get.  In over 4.5 years with Airbnb  I have had only one problem and it wasn't one where I would feel unsafe.  I believe it is because of my 3 day minimum and that I do not accept instant bookings.  I have noticed that my listing does not come up immediately.  Travelers are required to push a few extra buttons to get my listing.  This, to me, is discrimatory to people (mostly single women or people with children sharing their homes) who need to get "a feel" for the potential guest.  I think that even though we offer the experience that made Airbnb great, we are being pushed into the background.  It is sad.

[Carolyn76]

Cheryl

I totally agree with you as a woman living on her own.  Again this afternoon I have received another messsage from ABB pushng IB.  I need to know more about the person who is coming to stay in my home, and am tired of the near constant push for IB.  I have commented on this several time to Abb who say they will pass this on, but it makes no difference!  Also have suggested that ABB should be divided into two divisions; those who share their own homes, (the original caring, sharing ABB ethos) and those who are professional landlords and use this as a cheap way of letting out apartments, houses etc.  I frequently have lone female travellers staying here and they feel much more comfortable in someone's home rather than an unoccupied building, but it is often difficult to tell the difference.

Anyone else found this?

Carolyn

[Kim13]

YOU have the right to refuse the booking, on whatever grounds suits and is safe for you.!  I too vet anyone who does NOT have I.D. nor a photo, nor reviews.  I need to know more before they enter my home.  SAFETY FIRST!