Financial Wellness
Don't Let These Airbnb Scams Ruin Your Vacation
Whether you're looking to book a cozy winter ski cabin in Vermont or a quick getaway at a sunny beach resort, staying at an Airbnb® can make your trip feel more personal and comfortable—like a home away from home.
Unfortunately, scammers are out there—and they're targeting both guests and hosts.
Unfortunately, scammers are out there—and they're targeting both guests and hosts.
In fact, between 2015 to 2020, over 28,000 scam-related complaints about Airbnb were posted on Twitter, according to a 2021 study by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs.
The study found that 41% of those complaints involved multiple fake listings, 26% were about properties that didn't match the listing, and 20% were about hacked accounts.
Fake listings. Imagine arriving in Baltimore for your friend's wedding and you take an Uber to your Airbnb, only to find out that it's a local bakery. Scammers will create fake listings with photos of properties that don't exist or misrepresent them. They trick you into paying for a stay that won't happen, leaving you stranded.
To avoid: Double-check the property address to make sure it's a legitimate residential address once the host shares it. Always book directly on Airbnb, for all communication and payments, verify the host's profile, and look for red flags like too-low prices, vague descriptions, and generic photos.
Phishing traps. Scammers will mimic legitimate Airbnb emails, often including the Airbnb logo and a fake Airbnb address in the "From" line. They may even copy real Airbnb messages, like reservation confirmations, or payment reminders, to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
To avoid: Double-check the email sender, and never input personal information outside Airbnb's secure website or app.
Fake reviews and photos. We all rely on reviews and photos to help us decide where to stay. But scammers can create and post fake reviews, or use old or stock photos to make a place look better than it is. Sometimes, they'll leave negative reviews on other listings to make theirs look better.
To avoid: Guests should look for reviews that mention how the property matches the photos and use reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of photos. Airbnb has policies against fake reviews and encourages users to report suspicious activity. Choose listings with lots of reviews, as it's harder to fake large numbers. Pay attention to two, three, and four-star reviews for more honest feedback. You can also ask the host for more photos or a video walkthrough of the home if you're unsure.
Payment request outside Airbnb. According to Airbnb, making payments outside the platform can mean your personal information isn't protected, increasing your risk of fraud.
To avoid: Always make payments and communicate only through the Airbnb platform and never outside of it. If a host requests payment or an additional fee via wire transfer, PayPal, or any other method outside of Airbnb, it's a red flag and should be reported to Airbnb immediately. Airbnb monitors communication and transactions on its platform. Using the system provides a secure and verifiable way to make and receive payments, ensuring that both of you are protected. If a dispute arises, Airbnb's Resolution Center provides a way to resolve issues, which is not available when payments are made outside the platform.
The study found that 41% of those complaints involved multiple fake listings, 26% were about properties that didn't match the listing, and 20% were about hacked accounts.
Scams that hurt travelers
Getting ready to book your next vacation rental? Don't stress—we've got your back. Here's how you can spot and avoid common Airbnb scams.Fake listings. Imagine arriving in Baltimore for your friend's wedding and you take an Uber to your Airbnb, only to find out that it's a local bakery. Scammers will create fake listings with photos of properties that don't exist or misrepresent them. They trick you into paying for a stay that won't happen, leaving you stranded.
To avoid: Double-check the property address to make sure it's a legitimate residential address once the host shares it. Always book directly on Airbnb, for all communication and payments, verify the host's profile, and look for red flags like too-low prices, vague descriptions, and generic photos.
Phishing traps. Scammers will mimic legitimate Airbnb emails, often including the Airbnb logo and a fake Airbnb address in the "From" line. They may even copy real Airbnb messages, like reservation confirmations, or payment reminders, to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
To avoid: Double-check the email sender, and never input personal information outside Airbnb's secure website or app.
Fake reviews and photos. We all rely on reviews and photos to help us decide where to stay. But scammers can create and post fake reviews, or use old or stock photos to make a place look better than it is. Sometimes, they'll leave negative reviews on other listings to make theirs look better.
To avoid: Guests should look for reviews that mention how the property matches the photos and use reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of photos. Airbnb has policies against fake reviews and encourages users to report suspicious activity. Choose listings with lots of reviews, as it's harder to fake large numbers. Pay attention to two, three, and four-star reviews for more honest feedback. You can also ask the host for more photos or a video walkthrough of the home if you're unsure.
Payment request outside Airbnb. According to Airbnb, making payments outside the platform can mean your personal information isn't protected, increasing your risk of fraud.
To avoid: Always make payments and communicate only through the Airbnb platform and never outside of it. If a host requests payment or an additional fee via wire transfer, PayPal, or any other method outside of Airbnb, it's a red flag and should be reported to Airbnb immediately. Airbnb monitors communication and transactions on its platform. Using the system provides a secure and verifiable way to make and receive payments, ensuring that both of you are protected. If a dispute arises, Airbnb's Resolution Center provides a way to resolve issues, which is not available when payments are made outside the platform.
New! FTC bans hidden fees for short-term rentals
The Federal Trade Commission's new "Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees" prohibits hidden fees for short-term rentals. This means no more bait-and-switch pricing or sneaky fees.
Hidden cameras. Airbnb allows hosts to install security cameras in visible, shared spaces such as driveways, front doors, and foyers, provided they are clearly mentioned in the listing. However, placing hidden cameras in private areas like bedrooms or bathrooms is strictly against Airbnb's policies and an invasion of your privacy.
To avoid: When you arrive, check for any cameras that were disclosed in the listing and make sure they're not in private spaces. Look for unusual devices, tiny holes, or glimmers that could be hidden cameras. Check anything plugged into outlets located in bedrooms or bathrooms. Cameras can be disguised as phone chargers, Wi-Fi routers, and lights. If you spot anything suspicious, contact Airbnb right away.
Fake Damage Claims—Guests intentionally damage your property or falsely report issues, then demand a refund or compensation.
Chargeback Fraud—After staying, guests dispute the payment with their credit card company, claiming they never received the service.
Identity Theft Bookings—Scammers use stolen IDs or fake profiles to book, leading to unpaid stays or even legal trouble.
Party House Scam—A guest books under false pretenses and throws large unauthorized parties, often causing major damage.
Rebooking Switch—A guest cancels a reservation at the last minute claiming an emergency, then tries to rebook at a lower rate or off-platform to avoid fees.
Airbnb offers tools and resources to help hosts stay safe, like reporting suspicious activity, blocking or blacklisting potential guests, and using Airbnb's official help center for guidance.
To avoid: When you arrive, check for any cameras that were disclosed in the listing and make sure they're not in private spaces. Look for unusual devices, tiny holes, or glimmers that could be hidden cameras. Check anything plugged into outlets located in bedrooms or bathrooms. Cameras can be disguised as phone chargers, Wi-Fi routers, and lights. If you spot anything suspicious, contact Airbnb right away.
Scams that target hosts
If you're a host, you can also be targeted by scams. Here are some common ones to look out for:Fake Damage Claims—Guests intentionally damage your property or falsely report issues, then demand a refund or compensation.
Chargeback Fraud—After staying, guests dispute the payment with their credit card company, claiming they never received the service.
Identity Theft Bookings—Scammers use stolen IDs or fake profiles to book, leading to unpaid stays or even legal trouble.
Party House Scam—A guest books under false pretenses and throws large unauthorized parties, often causing major damage.
Rebooking Switch—A guest cancels a reservation at the last minute claiming an emergency, then tries to rebook at a lower rate or off-platform to avoid fees.
Airbnb offers tools and resources to help hosts stay safe, like reporting suspicious activity, blocking or blacklisting potential guests, and using Airbnb's official help center for guidance.
Resources: Asurion, LLC., All About Cookies, Aura, Bitdefender, TechCrunch
