If you own or manage a vacation rental in Grand County—or anywhere, really—you’ve probably heard the horror stories. And unfortunately, they’re becoming more common. While platforms like AirBnB and VRBO are great tools for reaching guests, they’ve also opened the door to a new kind of risk: scams targeting short-term rental (STR) hosts.

Most online searches and blogs talk about scams guests should watch out for, but not enough attention is given to protecting hosts. That’s why we’re shining a spotlight on real scams happening right here in our mountain community of Grand County, and how you can spot red flags before they cost you time, money, or worse—your peace of mind.

Whether you’re managing a condo in Winter Park or a lakeside cabin in Grand Lake, short-term rentals are big business. And with that comes big opportunity for scammers who know how to take advantage of trusting property owners. Below are two real examples of vacation rental scams that happened in Grand County—plus tips to avoid falling into the same traps.

A host accepted a rare one-night stay during a slow season—breaking from their usual two-night minimum. The guest liked the property so much, she asked to extend her stay by four more days. The host agreed… but didn’t collect payment right away.

By Day 4, our team arrived to clean the home—and it was chaos. It looked like a small party had moved in. Stuff was everywhere. The guest hadn’t left, showed no signs of leaving, and played confused when confronted by the host and our team. She left the property before the police could arrive.

When the police arrived, they stood guard at the property and advised us to collect her belongings and leave them outside for her to gather if she returned. Thankfully, the home only had minor damages and a few missing items, but the worst part was that the host never received payment for the extended stay. A dispute was filed with Airbnb, but reimbursement is still unclear.

🔑 Host Takeaway:
Always use the platform to process extensions or collect payment immediately if you’re doing it directly. Squatter scams can escalate fast, and once someone is in your home without a formal agreement, legal action becomes more difficult.

A guest called a local host saying their current Airbnb had flooded and they needed a new place to stay—for a family of seven. The story seemed urgent but plausible. The host agreed to let them look at the property before booking.

The host remotely unlocked the door, gave the potential guest access, and waited to hear back from them. The guest called back and said they’d take it but had to connect with their family first to confirm. The host thanked them, locked the door, and waited to hear back on the next steps.

But the guests never actually left. In fact, when they were there, they took the opportunity to pull their vehicle into the garage and closed the garage door before the doors were relocked and the alarm turned on. They took the opportunity to loot the home, even breaking into locked storage areas. Jewelry, tech, and other valuables were stolen.

Luckily, when they left, the alarm system was triggered, and security footage helped track them down. Thanks to a ping from a stolen Apple device, police located the thieves 2.5 hours away and made arrests.

🔑 Host Takeaway:
Never allow access without a verified booking. Emergencies can be real, but scammers rely on your empathy. Use smart locks, alarm systems, and cameras to stay protected.

Beyond these local stories, here are a few Airbnb scams for hosts that are trending nationally:

• Guest claims damage to get a refund (but caused the damage themselves)
• Fake booking extensions without payment
• Unauthorized parties disguised as small stays
• Chargeback scams (booking with stolen credit cards, then disputing the charge)

👉 For a full list of guest red flags, check out this article from KeyNest.

• Guests booking short stays last minute, especially during off-season
• Requests to communicate or pay outside the platform
• Too many questions about access or security features
• Refusal to provide ID or verify info
• Overly complex stories or emotional manipulation

• Use the platform for all payments and communication
• Always verify guest identity
• Don’t allow early or preview access without a confirmed booking
• Install smart locks, security cameras, and use noise monitors (Alexa Emergency Assist can detect and notify you about the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, and glass breaking)
• Set clear house rules and enforce them
• Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is

Short-term rental (STR) hosting can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with risks. The good news is that with the right tools and awareness, you can avoid scams and protect your property.

At Wheatley Creek Services, we work closely with local STR owners and property managers across Grand County. We see what’s happening on the ground, and we’re here to help you stay informed, protected, and supported.