Airbnb has become popular in recent years. It has become a go-to platform for travelers looking for affordable accommodations and unique places to stay. But, as with everything popular, it has attracted scam artists trying to take advantage of unsuspecting people. The risks are real when it comes to Airbnb scams. There is everything from fake listings to phishing attacks. To help you avoid falling victim to these schemes, here are nine Airbnb scams you should be aware of.
1. Fake Listings with Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices
If the price seems too good to be true, it most likely is. One of the most common Airbnb scams involves listing a fake rental with luxurious accommodations. When you look at the price, you’re astounded at how cheap it is. This scam tends to lure in people looking for a good deal on travel. However, once you’ve paid for your stay, the listing disappears completely. You’ve lost your money and you don’t have a place to stay.
To avoid this type of scam, make sure you cross-check prices in the area. You should also be sure to read reviews carefully. Take time to verify that the host has a credible profile before booking your stay.
2. Phishing Links Sent Outside the Airbnb Platform
If the communication is taken off the Airbnb platform, it is likely a scam. They might ask you to email them or for you to send them a message directly. This is when they’ll send you a link that appears to be the official Airbnb site, but it is a phishing link. It will steal your login details and payment information. Then, they can use your account to scam other people.
When you’re booking with Airbnb, keep all your communication and payments within the platform. Airbnb has built-in security features to protect users, and stepping outside that system increases your vulnerability.
3. Bait-and-Switch Listings
Another common Airbnb scam involves a bait-and-switch tactic. This is where a scammer posts a listing online and everything looks great. Once you arrive, nothing is what you saw in the original listing. For instance, photos might show a spacious apartment, but you end up in a small, dirty room. You might also run into the host claiming the property had an issue and they offer to “upgrade” you, but the location winds up being terrible.
Again, checking the reviews on the listing is always a good idea. You should pay attention to any complaints from previous guests. Always contact Airbnb customer support if something doesn’t feel right.
4. Overbooked Listings with Alternative Offers
Some Airbnb hosts will purposely overbook their properties. Then they will attempt to pressure you into staying somewhere else. The second location is usually of lower quality and doesn’t meet your expectations. The host will wait until the last minute to tell you about the booking issue and it often leaves travelers feeling trapped.
Don’t book with hosts that don’t have good reviews. Make sure you communicate any concerns you might have through the platform. If the host reaches out to offer a different property, reach out to customer support before you agree to any changes.
5. Third-Party Payment Requests
Any host asking you to pay through a third-party platform is a major red flag. Airbnb will have you pay through the app and offers protection, just in case anything goes wrong. If you pay on any third-party site, like PayPal, Venmo, or via bank transfer, Airbnb isn’t able to refund you.
To avoid this Airbnb scam, you should always make your payments through the app’s secure system. Report any host insisting that you use a third-party payment.
6. Non-Existent “Cleaning Fees” and Other Hidden Charges
People often complain about Airbnb’s cleaning fees. Some hosts will lure people in with low nightly rates and then charge excessive cleaning fees or other hidden charges once you’ve booked your stay. There are some people who will claim additional costs for “utilities” or “maintenance” after your stay as well.
It’s important to thoroughly read the listing before you book your stay. If something isn’t clear, reach out to the host before you book. You should contact Airbnb right away if a host is asking for additional payments after you’ve booked.
7. “Instant Book” Scams
Instant Book is great for people who travel often or are on long road trips and don’t know where they’re stopping next. You don’t have to wait for host approval with Instant Book. Of course, scammers have found a way to exploit this feature as well. Fake hosts will create nonexistent listings that will appear legit and then encourage people to use Instant Book. However, once you book the property, they cancel the reservation and take off with your money.
You should only use the Instant Book feature with verified Airbnb hosts. Again, look for the reviews and ensure they have a good reputation. As a good practice, avoid hosts that have new or incomplete profiles when you’re using Instant Book.
8. Fake Damage Claims After Your Stay
Another really common Airbnb scam is hosts filing false damage claims after your stay. They will accuse you of causing some kind of significant damage to the property and demand that you pay for it. The host might even have fake evidence of the damage to further support their claim.
It’s a good idea to document the condition of the property when you arrive and when you leave. Take pictures of every room. If you find something is damaged upon your arrival, report it to the host through the Airbnb messaging system. This makes it so that you have proof to counter false damage claims.
9. Fake Reviews and Inflated Ratings
There are some Airbnb profiles out there with fake reviews and inflated ratings. These can be harder to detect. Scammers might create multiple fake profiles to leave reviews on their listings, making it seem like a great place to stay. Once you arrive, however, you may find that the property isn’t what was advertised.
When you are looking at reviews, make sure there is some consistency in guest experiences. You should be wary of reviews that seem overly positive but vague. Most listings will have a balanced set of reviews that include positive things, but also occasional critiques.
Staying Safe
Protecting yourself on Airbnb involves a lot of vigilance. You should be aware of these common scams and always book through the Airbnb platform. By doing this, you can enjoy your travel and your stay without worrying. As mentioned above, if anything feels off, trust your gut and report the problem to Airbnb as soon as possible. Knowing how to spot these potential scams will help ensure you will have a nice trip.