Member-only story
When Swindlers Checked Into My Airbnb
Bad actors must be stopped
In early 2021, as COVID restrictions eased, my Lake Tahoe Airbnb experienced a surge in bookings. After months of lockdown, people were eager for a change of scenery but weren’t ready for air travel. Tahoe, a beautiful mountain resort in the heart of the western United States, became the perfect getaway. The remote work option further fueled the demand, allowing guests not only to visit but to stay longer.
It was during this small boom that four young men checked into my house. They were going to stay for four weeks.
Their booking process was a bit complicated. In my experience, 80% of guests book without any communication, 15% ask a few questions, and 5% try to negotiate the price. This group fell into the 5%, but they stood out even among the bargain hunters. In the weeks leading up to their booking, I received four inquiries with similar dates, discount requests, and wording. It wasn’t until after they booked and provided contact details that I realized all four inquiries came from the same party.
I didn’t grant them a discount, because I had done my research and knew my price was very reasonable. Nevertheless, they chose my house.
As soon as they arrived, they started reporting problems.
