Guest with lots of priors

[Tami1]

I know this is a high risk business and accept that fully, however I also  ASSUMED Airbnb did  background checks on new people signing up as guests, do they not??    You know that gut feeling you get, the bad one,  after chatting with a new guest who's set off a dozen red flags? I had that feeling with my last guest who did ended up screwing me royally,  but what really concerns me most  is  that I did a simple google  search using this guests name and found an impressive criminal history of arrests for shoplifting,  theft  and drug (meth) charges.  Going back about 3-4 years she's been arrested over a dozen times!   The last was  a week ago for theft!  I truly am shocked that she's able to book and I'm  also thankful that she took me for less than $500!  My confidence in our company is shattered today.     It's quite  shocking that she's not in prison, I have no doubt that's where she's headed.  Did you think airbnb screened and did background checks?   I know, never assume!         

[David9887]

Airbnb does not conduct a background check on any guests.  The extent they perform one is to verify if a phone number and email address match a name.  They are certainly not looking at criminal histories.  Moreover, Airbnb allows their guests to book your property using an alias so you actually have no idea who's staying in your home.  If you attempt to sue the guest, it's nearly impossible.

[Stacy433]

YES!!! I had Charles Edward Cheese...when I asked for a photo ID he denied. I said OK, I'll meet you at the property, so I know who is staying. He denied. So I told him I was having a little doubt about his stay, due to his name...Chuck E. Cheese, and certainly this isn't the first he's heard this? That's when I called Airbnb and was told of aliases. AND THEY KNOW AND APPROVE THIS. Why in the world would this EVER seem to be a good business practice?