How do I unlink pre-owned AirPods 3 from the original owner's Apple Account?

I purchased some pre-owned AirPods, but I keep getting the message:

“The owner of this item will be able to see its location. You are connecting to an item that's paired to someone else's Apple Account.”

I spoke with the original owner and she had used the “forget device” in Bluetooth Settings to disconnect with her phone. I tried again, but still got the message.

After some googling, I read that it might still be linked through the “Find My” app. I asked her to check and she saw it was still listed in Find My, so she removed it from there. It still is giving me the message.

She went back and checked her phone again, iCloud, and her Apple account online. She couldn’t find anything regarding the Airpods.

I am still getting the messages.

Is there any other place it could be linked?

I think she bought them from Verizon when she got her iPhone last year. Could this be why?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]