Guest requests 6-month stay, new to AirBnB, doesn't speak English, no reviews. Too good to be true?

[Kenta32]

Hi community!

I'm new to hosting on AirBnB and just got a request for my listing for 6 months. From a money perspective that's great. However, the person requesting is new to AirBnB, has a blank profile, no reviews, and wants me to text them. I've asked for some sort of verification through LinkedIn but they have not sent it, instead they sent me their phone number to text them. 

The communication through the AirBnB generated emails show that they're translating from Mandarin to English so I'm assuming their knowledge of English is limited which could be an issue if something came up. I spoke with AirBnB support and they were not helpful, just said they verify identities and it should all be fine.

Any advice? 

[Trude0]

Unbelievable that Airbnb support would claim ”all should be fine…

This is most likely an attempt to scam you. Lots if hosts (mostly new, inexperienced hosts) get these now. The inquiries (because it is typically an inquiry, not a request to book), usually have these things in common:

1) Long term stay

2) No previous reviews, limited profile information 

3) Often (but not always) Chinese ”guest”

4) Requesting you to go off platform to communicate (often requesting a video, which you cannot send via the Airbnb chat

You should not decline, but you should reply to the message. Then report the guest to Airbnb - and they will look into it.

[Shelley159]

Hi @Kenta32 

There are two problems. Communicating off platform is against policy, and the situation you describe is in line with many scams reported in this forum.

You don't have to click "Decline", as it's only an enquiry. You can simply say you don't communicate off platform and send them this policy link:

https://www.airbnb.co.za/help/article/209

[Kenta32]

Thank you @Shelley159  and @Trude0 

I didn't realize there was a difference between inquiry and request for booking. 

I have been trying to get them to verify their identity through LinkedIn or something else but they sent a phone number instead for texting. I told them for security reasons I rather chat through the platform.

Thank you for your advice. I'm wondering what the scam itself would consist of since I'd be booking through AirBnB and getting payment through AirBnB. Is the scam that they try to get you to do all this outside the platform and then you're unprotected?

Thanks again!

[Trude0]

They may not even be trying to book off platform, just to get your contact information and use that in some way. 

Also, if you are considering long term hosting, please read up on this forum on things to be aware of. 

Good luck with hosting! 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Kenta32 

You did well to send this guest packing and unfortunately this is an all too common scam that new hosts are particularly targeted.  Just so that you have all the information at hand, I made a guide on the difference between receiving an enquiry and a request to book and how to handle them if you're interested?

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-Handling-Enquiries-and-Bookings/td-p/1895...

All the best
Joëlle

[Helen3]

This booking has red flags all over it @Kenta32 . Report the guest on the platform for wanting to communicate outside of Airbnb. Scammers wanting to book outside airbnb often target new hosts. 

Please book mark the Airbnb Help website it has a FAQs about most aspects of managing your business on Airbnb.  It will remind you  should not communicate with guests directly before there is a confirmed booking. 

I don't know about your laws but in the UK a six month let would invalidate your business rates and would open you up to them having tenancy rights. 

[Kenta32]

Thank you so much for this! Is super helpful and made me feel more secure in declining the request. I hate that people are trying to scam through AirBnB. 
Thanks for the help!