Guests requesting my ID, Utility Bill and letter

[Tamsin4]

I have guests booked still 2 months in advance and they are requesting that I provide them a certified copy of my ID, my utility bill and a letter stating they are staying with us. I called Airbnb support and they assured me that I should not give any of this information out and that they do not require hosts to assist guests with their visa applications. I have explained this in 2 separate conversations with my guests, being very polite but suggesting they contact Airbnb support first to verify that I am not obliged and nor should I provide this information to my guests. The guest has now asked me a third time saying another host has done this for him and they need this to obtain a visa and that the application process at the embassy is very stressful.

I am sure the request is legitimate, however after twice refusing the guest and thrice being asked, I am feeling very uncomfortable.

Any advise?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Tamsin4 probably best if you just ask Airbnb to do a neutral cancellation so he guest gets their money back and you can find a safer guest to host.

[Tamsin4]

Thanks @Mike-And-Jane0 , I considered this, but thought if the request was real, I'll just let the guests arrive and find a different way to get their visas. I would not want to offend them if they were genuinely requesting my help. I have heard stories of guests being spiteful and leaving bad reviews which can be very damaging. Even if they dont stay on Airbnb they can find ones social media platforms and other ways to make trouble. Tricky all in all.

[Helen3]

The guest can use their booking confirmation to evidence they have booked with you and the address they are staying at @Tamsin4 

I wouldn't provide a copy of my ID or a utility bill - it could be used for fraudulent purposes .

if the guest wanted this information from you they should have asked before they booked whether you would be happy to provide it.

I've travelled to many countries including SA and have only ever been asked to provide the address I am staying at. 

I agree with others I would ask Airbnb to do a mutual cancellation so dates can be unblocked from your calendar and you can try and get a replacement booking. 

[Tamsin4]

@Helen3I do agree. Fortunately as we are all the way out in SA I have a strict cancellation policy so the guests will forfeit if they cancel. I think I'll just leave things for now and hopefully they get their visa without any trouble.

[Lorna170]

@Tamsin4  DO NOT give them any of this information.  This is a way to steal your ID.  

At this point, I would ask AirBnB to cancel this booking as the guest is asking for personal information.

[Tamsin4]

Thank you @Lorna170  appreciate your response which gives me conviction in the way I handled the situation. On my third call to Airbnb support about this guest, the support person said it was at my discresion, which is odd as the other 2 support people said I should not do this. I opted to send the guests the welcome email. I'm on a host chat  group in Cape Town and I have had varied answers, some say they hand over the info no problems, others advise against it. My feeling is even it if is a legitimate request, the guests will certainly not be securing my information which could then get out via whatever methods they have used to get photocopies or email the info. I agree, this is very sensitive info that should be kept private. I felt very much under pressure from these guests and not at all comfortable. I wont cancel them but lets see what happens.

[Frances3408]

@Tamsin4. I agree with other hosts. Do NOT provide this information. Even if a legitimate need the information is easily exploited. Get Airbnb to cancel the booking.

Just because other hosts are comfortable to do this, doesnt mean you should be forced into providing this information. Some hosts either dont realise or dont care about the risks, just happy for the money.

Let us know how it all goes.

[Tamsin4]

@Frances3408 I will heed your advise and also will post back here once the guests arrive or cancel. I prefer not to cancel, I just wont give them my personal information. Thanks all great responses.