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Long Facebook video but worth watching
Short version: scammers in India using local money mules rent an Airbnb in the USA to use as a drop-off for thousands of dollars. The victims were seniors. The owner unknowingly had a scammer ring operating from his home.
ah yes, he has one of the best youtube channels, absolute gold. And yes, these types are using airbnb addresses, many of them donāt actually go inside though, they just wait out the front for the package to be delivered. Iāve been down that youtube rabbit hole, thereās about 3 great channels who do āstop the scammerā type stuff, and sometimes they even do collabs and work together. Very informative.
Also watch the squirrel obstacle course.
And then there was the host Iāve mentioned before whose guest asked to have 2 packages delivered, which turned out to be two crates full of guns and ammunition. It turned out he was a gun dealer who was trying to smuggle guns across state lines.
Itās in my house rules that the only thing that can be delivered is food from a delivery service.
Besides the nefarious reasons, there also folks who try to use the address as their own address to try to get tenancy or to pretend that they have an address. Iāve gotten mail from folks that have long checked out. I donāt want anyone to think that my address is associated with a guest.
I offer them the location of UPS store near my house where they can pick up packages and if they want something from Amazon, thereās a pickup hub about 2 miles from my house.
I watched one several months agoā¦I donāt know who to be impressed by, the course creator or the ambitious squirrels who conquered it.
His glitter-bomb porch-pirate-catching system is awesome.
well he is an engineer, and a genius one at that, it seems. And just a lovely guy, it seems.
I understand why you would do thisābut I would not rent from you. We often get insulin for my younger boy sent to where we stay, or gear we forgot, or purchases we suddenly need from Amazon (replacement chargers, cables, special camera batteries etc.).
Most guests are actually honest.
I would think that if you explained why you needed to have those things delivered, even some hosts who have a policy of no deliveries might be willing to allow it.
The main concerns are drug or other illegal stuff delivery or trying to establish residency. If you made it clear that youāre just a normal family who have a home of your own (no need to try to establish residency elsewhere), and your profile shows good reviews, as well as your own listing, seems like that could alleviate a lot of the concern.
Yes. We actually have done that in the past (asking even though the listing says no). But the risk of getting a NO is difficult to manage when you are on the road, away from home, for a few weeks solid.
Thereās an Amazon hub in my city and most of the items you mentioned could easily be picked up 2 miles from my home.
In regards to Insulin
a) There are also 5 drug stores in my city and RX can be transferred.
b) I take insulin. At least mine is portable and would never risk waiting on deliveries.
c) Depending on the type of insulin, I have found an amazing price through the manufacturer that is only costing me about $5 a month. I take Lantus and if that is the same kind and want more info on how Iām getting it at such a low price without using my prescription benefit from my insurance, Iāll be happy to share.
Iām glad that you have found folks to be honest. In the beginning I trusted all and got burned a few times. Iād rather have my STR empty that have people who wonāt abide by my rules.
Itās good to share information. Thank you for offering.
The newer long lasting insulin pens are very expensive.
Old school insulins do not require a prescription (novolog & novolin) in North Carolina. The blood sugar testers & strips & needles do not require a prescription either. Walmart sells these insulins for $25 a vial. Walgreens & CVS charge Over $100 per vial.
Iām not a Walmart fan but in this case, they are the best resource.
I hope people put these little insulin tips in the back of their minds. You never know when someone may need this info.
Btw-a few months ago a fellow working on my HVAC was extremely pale. I asked what was going on. He had not had his A1c tested and had not seen his doctor since his insulin prescription had run out. He didnāt have the funds to see the doctor. I told him about the Walmart pricing.
He called me later, he had gone to Walmart. His blood sugar would only register āhighā on the meter. He was able to afford the Novolin & knew how to manage with meal administration. He was back on track.
Yes, I found out that the needles would only cost me $9 for a 50 pack vs my insurance for $53 for 100. My insulin through insurance would have been $150 for 3 month and through the company sponsored card it you pick up the 90 days supply in 2 orders, itās only $20 for 3 months.
The tester strips were very expensive from my insurance so Iāll check out Walmart for this too. Thanks for the tip. Right now Iām using the freestyle scan which Costco sells for $75 for a 1 month supply. This is not doable longterm but Iām using this while they figure out what is my correct dose and to figure out what foods spike my sugars.
Iām going to attached the info from the manufacturer in case you want to explore it.