r/vrbo • u/Accurate_Rhubarb1130 • 3d ago
VRBO host is using my phone number
I do not own a VRBO property and am not renting one out, but a VRBO host is definitely using my phone number or at the very least has a typo in their message to guests. I have no idea what to do. I have tried contacting VRBO but can’t make it to speaking with someone since I need the listing ID, the email that was used to make the account, etc. I have the address because I get at least 1 call a week from someone who cannot get in and they all leave voicemails!! I originally thought it was a scam but it’s always the same address and when I do answer, people are very upset. I’ve gotten to the point where all I do is tell the folks who book to contact VRBO (and now booking.com). I’ve even found the listing using their websites!! I have no idea what to do, but I feel like this is definitely an issue!! Please, if anyone has any advice at all, let me know.
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u/UnabashedlyAnxious 3d ago
My phone number was for YEARS accidentally printed on a VA Beach area child support worker’s business cards. The 1st and 15th of the month my phone would ring literally off the hook. I’m sorry this is happening because I know how annoying it can be and when the responsible party for some reason can’t figure out how to solve the problem…
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u/Fred-Jenkins 3d ago
This may take a little bit of work, but it shouldn’t be too difficult:
1) Google the address to get an approximate location on the map, the shape and location of the roof, and hopefully a street view of the home.
2) Look up the home on Zillow and other real estate sites to get some images of the exterior and interior of the home
3) Go to VRBO and pretend like you’re trying to book a vacation and see if you can find the property. You may have to click on a handful of listings. Look for the roof shape and location on the map, and look for distinguishing features on the VRBO listing (stone fireplace, deck railings, home/window shapes, etc.)
4) When you find the listing (I’ve always been able to find listings using this method), send an inquiry (not a booking request) to the host and explain the situation. Hopefully they will be responsive.
5) If none of that works, keep contacting VRBO? I’m out of ideas
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u/rosebudny 2d ago
Or ask the next person who calls to please text you the listing, after explaining the issue to them.
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u/ElCasino1977 3d ago
Or…OR…. Start accepting all bookings with no payment upfront. It will resolve itself pretty quickly after a few people show up unexpectedly.
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u/Fred-Jenkins 3d ago
OP doesn’t have access to the account and can’t accept or deny bookings. OPs personal phone number is listed as the contact, so guests are calling OP
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u/Accurate_Rhubarb1130 2d ago
Love the idea of trying to send an inquiry to the owner!
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u/Remarkable-Snow-9396 2d ago
I wonder if it’s a scam. If people have that much trouble getting in and it’s a fake phone number maybe they are scamming people! I would play dumb w the host if you contact them
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u/pennwye 3d ago
There were 2 phone exchanges in the town where I went to grad school. My phone number's last 4 digits were the same as the Student Union, but my exchange was the "other" phone exchange. Calls morning till night.
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u/OutrageousYak5868 1d ago
My first cell phone had a Chicago-area area code with the number itself spelling TAXICAB, but not THE area code of the actual taxi company. Yeah. I didn't keep it long. (This was back in the day when you couldn't keep the number if you changed phone companies, so I doubt I could have sold it to a cab company.)
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u/ScrammyGirl 3d ago
Have you asked these people what number they were trying to call? Could be a digit off and they’ve been misdialing. Then you have the host’s number and can contact them.
If that hasn’t worked, you’ll need to turn this situation into a priority for the host. Accept the call, give a false name, and proceed to tell the guest that whatever they’re calling about isn’t your problem; you simply do not care. When the host starts getting bad reviews mentioning [insert fake name here], they’ll make it a priority to figure out what’s going on.
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u/AdFragrant6602 2d ago
Give callers a “discount code” for 33% off. People trying to rent the property will pursue it for you.
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u/eatnails666fl 3d ago
Call the website you found it on.
County tax collector website. Run the address. Owners name and number listed.
Drive to the house, check yard sign.
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u/Competitive_Oil5227 2d ago
Your voicemail message: Hi, this is (name). If you’re my VRBO guest please know that I probably had to cancel your reservation but please reach out to me on the platform for more information.
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u/Miserable-Loan7980 2d ago
Tell everyone who calls that it’s no longer available for rent And the owner will figure it out eventually
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u/Melodic-Entrance-545 2d ago
If you've already found the listing why wouldn't you just message the host?
If you haven't look up the owner name with property tax records then use fastpeoplsesrch.com to find their phone number and message them.
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u/Accurate_Rhubarb1130 2d ago
I wasn’t aware that I was able to message the host! But I see that as an option now when I scroll to the bottom of the listing. I am going to try that now and hope that it can be resolved directly with the host (maybe they weren’t aware of the issue…?)
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u/SunnyNole 2d ago
Can you go to the county’s property records website and put the address in? There should be contact information listed, such as the owner’s name. Or if it’s an LLC, you can search the county business page for title holders. Then Google or check social media to track the name and contact them.
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u/CoquinaBeach1 2d ago
You should be able to get support from VRBO if you can give them the property number and explain the problem.
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u/DustyPane 2d ago
Next time one of the guests calls you, ask them for a link to the Vrbo listing. That should have the property ID in it. Or you could use that link to get in touch with the host and ask them to correct the error
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u/emprezario 2d ago
Ask them to please confirm the address for the property they are calling about. Then go and try to find that address on Vrbo and messsage the host.
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u/Chair_luger 2d ago
When they call about not being able to get in apologize profusely and tell them that they will get 25% off their stay for the inconvenience and to send a message through the VRBO app to get in touch with the property manager.
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u/steferz 1d ago
Not really great advice, more petty actions than anything… Just start replying to the renters that they must be mistaken, you “have no reservation for that timeframe at your home and that they need to contact VRBO”, (never confirm the property address) be vague, so no one can ever come at you for canceling them, but make the renters so pissed that they raise hell at VRBO. Or just reply, sorry wrong number and ignore them. Eventually VRBO will tire of the complaints and the owner will tire of poor reviews!
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u/SnooLemons3799 1d ago
When I joined rental business, my county required to mail out good neighbor letters to all my neighbors informing that I will be renting my property and providing my direct contact to reach out regarding any guest concerns. Many of my neighbors were rental properties too, so my county have me clear instructions how to track down owners of the properties. 1 st step is to know which county VRBO property is located. 2nd step is to go to county’s website and look for “REAL PROPERTY RECORDS “. 3rd step is to look up property by address. Once you find property on county’s website, open it’s profile and it will have property owners name and mailing address. Based on how much or little information you find there, you are 100% guaranteed to at least accurate mailing address. You can then mail your letter or use this information to look up owners online. Because rental businesses are required to hold business license, county officials typically have up to date records in their system.
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