With growing popularity comes growing risks. Therefore, it can be crucial to be ready to detect any potential scam or fraudulent behavior.
Airbnb has over 4 million hosts and 6 million listings, which means the chances of being scammed are high.
And since the United States has more Airbnbs than any other country in the world, how can Americans spot the warning signs of an Airbnb scam?
With that in mind, industry experts have revealed 5 ways to spot if your Airbnb is a scam, so you are ready for your next vacation.
5 Ways to Spot an Airbnb Scam
1 – Hosts push for external communication
Hosts including their personal email address or phone number in the property description may be a sign of a scam – most booking sites prohibit external exchanges, instead encouraging all communications and interactions to be done through the site.
It is the same for payment, if the host pushes you to pay by an alternative means to that of the booking site, this may be a sign of a scam because it moves away from the secure and traced mode of the site.
2 – Email links
Fraudsters can send fake Airbnb links via email asking you to enter your data in order to receive the best offers or to guarantee a reservation.
If you receive an email like this, try to avoid clicking on the link – instead go straight to the official site and log in through the secure system.
If you choose to follow the link, double-check the URL to make sure it leads to the official site.
3 – The case is too good to be true
If the deal sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Try a reverse image by looking for the images used in the listing, as well as looking for reviews and evidence that the property is legit – you can do this by right-clicking on the image and selecting the ” search for an image with the Google lens”.
However, if you are unsure, it is best to avoid the listing as it is better to pay a little more than lose money and details to a scam.
4 – The profile of the host
The host’s profile can be a solid clue as to whether or not these are legitimate ads. Airbnb has started verifying hosts and guests on its site to make sure properties are valid and reliable.
The number of listings on a profile can also indicate whether they are genuine or not, an individual host is unlikely to have a large number of properties for rent, so be sure to check reviews, properties and details of the host before booking.
5 – Notice
The most valuable asset when booking a rental property is reviews. These can apply to both the property itself and the host.
If a property has no reviews, it’s often best to stay away – however, it may be a new listing, in which case check the host’s reviews and take an informed decision from there.
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