Multiple Weird inquiry requests in Chinese

[Larissa569]

Hi,

I’m a new host, I have only hosted twice, and I keep getting inquiries from Chinese nationals requesting to stay longer than 30 days, sometimes even 3 months, and they all ask to communicate outside the chat via WhatsApp. They also ask to send photos and videos of my rental via WhatsApp which I refuse to.  They have also asked to meet at the place. Very strange. 

Additionally, they all have the same story- coming to my city to relax or to get to know the area. My rentals are in an urban area where people usually stay for events, work, or big concerts. People also come to see family sometimes, but it’s not like a beach rental or a paradisiac type of place in the woods that people go to relax.

They also say the same thing : they work doing wine trade and real estate, so when I ask about the company info and references they get upset, don’t respond, or ask to give the information via WhatsApp.

My profile specifically states that if you are requesting to stay more than 20 days I need to have your DL’s info, references, reason for trip, and a mid term rental agreement signed.

Eventually I have to decline the inquiry request because they simply stop replying. I’m a new host trying to stay on top of it, but I’m worried that too many inquiry rejections will affect my performance as a host. 

Has anyone gone through something similar ? Does this type of thing affect your performance and rental exposure in the search tool? 

I have reported those profiles already and explained the reason for decline as attempt to scam or violating the rules. Is there anything else I should do ? 

thank you !

Larissa 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Larissa569 Just respond to scam enquiries with a '.' and continue to report the profiles.

There is a risk when declining that the Airbnb algorithm will ding you so it is not worth the risk.

[Larissa569]

Thank you - I was told by cs that we have to decline or accept the inquiry within 24 hours, otherwise it will affect my response rate. Is it accurate ? 

[Trude0]

You were incorrectly informed by CS.

If it is an INQUIRY, you don’t have to decline/accept - you just need to respond to the message.

It is only booking REQUESTS that you have to accept/decline within 24 hours.

Scammers typically send inquiries, not requests.

[Sarina46 · Accepted solution]

You will not be penalized for declining requests that break Airbnb terms of service - which a request to communicate outside the platform is.

Additionally, such requests are most likely scams of some kind, which you can indicate in your feedback to Airbnb when you decline the reservation.

[Jacolyn1]

This has happened to me as well a couple of times. Very suspicious and I also declined. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Jacolyn1 

There are so many tales of the same thing happening to guests all over at the moment so it's important to report these scammers to Airbnb by using the three dots that you see in the message stream.  If you click on these dots, you'll see "report or flag this message" and give your reason.  Hopefully, they will be removed from the platform if enough hosts use this useful tool to report unworthy Airbnb 'guests"

If you're using your phone, just press 2 seconds on the message they sent you to report them.

All the best
Joëlle

[Zheng49]

If it's an inquiry you don't need to decline. Just make sure to reply once, and your job is done. 

If it's a booking request, then you do need to accept or decline within the specified time allotted.