Concerned about scammers/safety

[Daniel9951]

I just began hosting. Published my first listing sometime last night and at 1:40AM I received an inquiry about my listing. The individual asked "Can we check in at 3AM?". I don't mind however they have been on Airbnb apparently since 2019 and have no reviews. Airbnb says their contact info and identity have been verified but it seems strange I would get interest on my listing so quickly, so late at night, and from someone with 3 years on Airbnb but no reviews. The only information Airbnb gives me about their profile is a first name. 

Something to add, I did say check in is okay from 4PM to 2AM because I am planning on just using a lock with a pin and giving the guest the pin once the booking is confirmed so they can have a seamless check-in experience and really come at any point in time because I know sometimes guests are traveling late. 

[Marina1706 · Accepted solution]

Hi Daniel,

It happened to me as well when I just published my listing there were some odd requests, but they actually never went through with reservation so I just realized they were for some reason trying to do some kind of scam. I got question if they can come in right now and pay in cash for the whole month and so on. I declined all of those.Later on as I continued with hosting these scams stopped.

Good luck and keep your eyes wide open 🙂

[Daniel9951]

Thank you @Marina1706 for the quick and helpful response. I kind of figured it may have something to do with the account being so new because I noticed it brands it as new and entices guests with the discount when you look at it from the non-hosting side. That seems like it would make it an easy target for a scammer or bot. 

They did ask to stay 4 nights which, to me, made it seem more legitimate. I did respond to their inquiry and though it has only been a couple hours, have not heard a response.

[Helen744]

@Daniel9951 seriously Daniel , consider that they may have gained entry before paying and could have scammed you out of four days and maybe worse. Do not let people in your place at three am on the spur of the moment , what is your cut off time for same day ? After midnight are they paying for a new day or the day before? and if they are out before the checkin time Good luck ever being paid. H

[Gillian166]

@Daniel9951  yes, new hosts are targeted by scammers.  Do not use Instant Book and do not take bookings that seem off. You don't need to accept/decline inquiries, just respond and let them hang there, and give the person the impression you are an experienced host. Don't give in to any weird requests in those early days.