Protecting Your Property from Fraudulent Bookings

Be aware of these red flags when reviewing a booking request:

✔ Last-minute reservations for high-occupancy stays – Fraudsters often book at the last minute to avoid thorough screening.

✔ Guest profile with missing details – Incomplete profiles, no reviews, or generic names can indicate a suspicious booking.

✔ Unusual payment methods or third-party bookings – Guests attempting to pay outside the platform or book on behalf of someone else may be fraudulent.

✔ Multiple booking attempts with different accounts – Repeated declines followed by a successful booking from a new profile could signal fraud.

✔ Requests to communicate outside the platform – Fraudsters may attempt to move the conversation off-platform to avoid detection.

💡 Tip: SHD’s fraud detection system flags risky bookings and alerts hosts through HostDesk™.

SHD provides multiple layers of fraud prevention to protect hosts from high-risk reservations.

A. Guest Verification & Screening

✔ Identity Verification – SHD ensures that all guests booking through supported platforms are verified.

✔ Background Checks – High-risk bookings are screened for potential fraudulent activity.

✔ Payment Security – SHD processes payments through secure channels to prevent chargebacks and fraud.

B. Smart Booking Controls

✔ Instant Alerts for Suspicious Bookings – SHD notifies hosts if a reservation has risk factors.

✔ Custom Booking Restrictions – Hosts can require a minimum number of prior stays or verified guest profiles.

✔ Mandatory Security Deposits – Requiring a deposit helps deter bad actors.

C. Proactive Fraud Monitoring

✔ Activity Tracking – SHD monitors account activity and booking patterns for unusual behavior.

✔ Address & IP Verification – Helps detect fraudulent accounts using multiple locations.

✔ Guest Communication Monitoring – SHD flags messages with off-platform payment requests or suspicious activity.

💡 Tip: SHD automatically declines high-risk bookings and contacts hosts for review if necessary.

In addition to SHD’s protection, hosts can take extra steps to secure their property:

A. Set Strict House Rules

✔ No third-party bookings – Require the account holder to be present.

✔ Guest ID verification upon arrival – Ensure the person checking in matches the booking.

✔ No unauthorized parties or events – Use clear language to discourage fraudulent activity.

B. Require Security Deposits & ID Checks

✔ Security deposits discourage bad actors – Fraudsters avoid listings with deposits.

✔ Use smart locks with unique access codes – Change codes after each stay.

✔ Cross-check guest details – If anything seems off, confirm the booking with SHD before approving.

C. Stay Within Platform Policies

✔ Do not accept payments outside the platform – This voids fraud protection.

✔ Use SHD HostDesk™ for guest communication – Helps monitor and flag suspicious activity.

✔ Enable platform-hosted insurance – Airbnb, VRBO, and SHD offer host protection programs.

💡 Tip: Declining a suspicious booking is better than dealing with the aftermath of fraud.

If you receive a booking request that seems suspicious, take the following steps:

Steps to Handle a Suspicious Booking:

1. Do not accept the booking immediately – Review guest details carefully.
2. Check guest profile & past reviews – If the profile is blank or has negative reviews, proceed with caution.
3. Ask for additional verification – SHD can help verify identities through HostDesk™.
4. Report concerns to SHD – If unsure, contact SHD support to review the booking.
5. Decline the booking if needed – If it seems too risky, it’s best to say no.

💡 Tip: If a fraudulent guest is already in your property, contact SHD immediately for assistance.

Q: How does SHD identify fraudulent bookings?

✔ SHD uses AI-powered fraud detection to flag high-risk bookings based on booking patterns, payment methods, and guest verification.

Q: Can I cancel a booking if I suspect fraud?

✔ Yes! If you believe a booking is fraudulent, contact SHD immediately, and we will help determine the best course of action.

Q: What should I do if a guest tries to pay outside the platform?

✔ Decline the request and report it to SHD. Payments outside the platform are often scams and can void your fraud protection.

Q: Can I require a security deposit for all guests?

✔ Yes! SHD recommends requiring security deposits for high-value properties to deter fraud.

Q: What happens if a fraudulent guest damages my property?

✔ SHD can assist in filing a damage claim through Airbnb, VRBO, or SHD’s claims process.

🔘 Want to prevent fraudulent bookings? Enable fraud protection settings in SHD HostDesk™.

🔘 Need help reviewing a booking? Contact SHD Support for guest verification.

🔘 Have concerns about a suspicious guest? Report them to SHD for investigation.

Fraudulent bookings pose a serious risk to hosts, but SHD provides advanced fraud detection, guest verification, and booking security controls to protect your property.

By following SHD’s security measures and best practices, hosts can minimize the risk of scams, unauthorized stays, and property damage. If you ever suspect fraud, SHD’s team is available 24/7 via HostDesk™ to assist.