Vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb have become the ideal mode of transportation for many people looking for more space as well as the comforts of home that a hotel room simply cannot provide. . With more and more people taking this route, travel experts from travel lens shared some useful tips that users can follow to avoid getting scammed.
“Property rental sites such as Airbnb have grown in popularity in recent years, with many people choosing to book through these sites when planning their vacations. However, with growing popularity comes growing risks, therefore, Being prepared to spot any potential scams or fraudulent behavior can be crucial to keeping your personal information secure,” says Blake Walsh, travel expert at Travel Lens. “Many of these sites have internal protocols to ensure the security of their users, so by making sure you keep all transactions in the site’s system, you’re already less likely to be scammed.”
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Nonetheless, here are a few things to look out for the next time you want to book.
External communication
Beware of hosts who push for external communication as this may be a sign of a scam. Personal emails and phone numbers keep users away from the secure and tracked method of the booking site. Hosts asking guests to pay through an alternative method other than through the site should also be avoided. “If a host tries to move your correspondence off the site, that’s a sign of fraudulent behavior,” says Walsh.
Email links
Airbnb users should also look out for fake Airbnb links that may request personal data with the promise of receiving the best deals or first reviews on a new booking. Experts advise customers to avoid clicking on such links and always check the URL in case they do.
“Again, be careful where you share your personal information, if you have received an Airbnb request via email, it is best to access the site separately from any links in the email. -email to ensure that you are not redirected to a fraudulent site that plans to phish your data,” advises Walsh. “Continue to manage all correspondence through the official Airbnb website and you will have proof and secure receipts all transactions between you and the host.”
Too good to be true
It’s always wise to stop and take a moment when something seems too good to be true. The same goes for Airbnb listings. If you have any doubts, try performing a reverse image search of the photos used in the listing and looking for reviews and other evidence that the property is real and legit. Users can right-click on the image and select the option “Find Image with Google Lens” to start this process.
Profile
Take a close look at your potential host’s profile before booking, as Airbnb has started vetting hosts and guests. Experts point out that the number of listings on a profile can be telling because an individual host is unlikely to have a large number of rental properties.
Comments
Always read reviews when considering renting an Airbnb. Research the property as well as the host and be sure to avoid those without reviews as this can be a red flag. If it’s just because the listing is brand new, read the host’s reviews and go from there using your best judgment.
“Reviews are extremely important on these sites as they validate the legitimacy of hosts and listings, so if you are unsure of a property you are considering renting be sure to check reviews before booking,” Walsh said.
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