Airbnb has drastically transformed the realm of short-term rentals by offering international travelers an affordable and unique place to stay. However, with Common Airbnb scams, there are new issues that arise with too much popularity.
It is crucial to know these Common Airbnb scams because scammers have developed new ways to exploit unsuspecting users. As a result, knowing these scams can help everyone limit the chances of being taken advantage of.
Regardless of whether you are a guest or host, knowing the tricks scammers tend to pull can save you a lot of trouble and stress. In this article, we delve into the most Common Airbnb scams and aim to provide practical do’s and don’ts that help you when using Airbnb.
By adopting these strategies, you can minimize the safety challenges that come with booking or listing a property on Airbnb. With this knowledge, you can safely and easily make reservations or list a place to stay on Airbnb without hassles.
1. Common Airbnb Scams Guests Should Watch Out For
a. Fake Listings
The most Common Airbnb Scam is fraudulent listings with fake properties. Scammers will fabricate fake Airbnb properties using pictures taken from other websites, providing unrealistic rates to invite guests. Once the payment is sent, the scammer vanishes, leaving the guest with no accommodation.
Do:
Make sure to always book directly on Airbnb’s site or app.
Check for reviews left by previous guests and confirm the identity of the host.
Look at the rates in other similar listings.
Don’t:
Try to book the properties without any review or have sketchy descriptions.
Send payment outside of the Airbnb platform.
b. Phishing Scams
Still another Common Airbnb Scam is Phishing with false emails or messages from scammers who represent themselves as Airbnb. Through these fake emails, they attempt to steal sensitive information, like login details or even bank accounts.
These emails purport to be from reputed organizations that want to ‘confirm’ their log in details or bank information under the pretext of a security issue.
Do:
Always check the email sender before clicking on links.
Only log on from Airbnb’s official website.
Enable two-step verification for stiffness.
Don’t:
Never reply to emails and messages with private details and passwords included.
Never click on any questionable links.
c. Host-Asking-for-Direct-Payment Scam
Scams on airbnb are becoming far too common, such as when a legitimate scammer tells you to pay them directly instead of through the airbnb platform. This for example could be renting out a flat in exchange for payments as they are discounted compared to airbnb listing expenses.
In any case, we recommend not doing any transactions with scammers, as this increases your chances of getting defrauded. Always trusting a red flag when a host attempts to rent out the location directly outside the platform would minimize damage.
Do:
Make no dealings except those where the verification system is applied.
Report users who conduct financial dealings outside the application.
Don’t:
Don’t trust fake discount claims from unreliable sources.
Make wire payments or any other form of payment that does not comply with the platform rules.
2. Common Airbnb Scams Hosts Should Watch Out For
a. Fake Chargeback Scams
Scam chargebacks, under the benefit of being unscrupulous, hire fake guest services along with other rentals. They do this by paying the rent and to further never paying for it claiming false reasons to the bank. And cause problems for a changed host within the airbnb ecosystem.
The airport will most likely just freeze the funds from paying out to the host, which would leave him in the deficit for the amount stated in the charge.
Do:
Capture repetitive images of exactly what sort of communications you’ve had concerning the guests and their bookings.
Make sure to photograph everything before and after the guests check in or check out.
Do not add restrictions, rules, or any other policies on your listing for your house.
Don’t:
Expect every fraudulent attempt will result in losses to a piece of rented space order.
Adhere to the placement rotation for those guests who have made no prior arrangements with the airbnb host.
b. Guest Identity Fraud
Especially on platforms like Airbnb, scammers often utilize stolen credit cards or fake IDs to book stays which ultimately result in monetary losses for the hosts. As a result of filing these false claims, chargebacks are made, which as a consequence leads to unpaid hosts.
Do:
Verify IDs on Airbnb.
Reach out to guests before accepting the reservation.
Set harsh cancellation procedures for protection.
Don’t:
Enable unknown users to make reservations close to their check-in time.
Accept guests with profiles that seem inconsistently vague.
c. Damage Scams
With this tactic, some guests physically damage the property and put the host in a demanding position in which the host pretty much ends up compensating the guest instead.
While some are willing to pay for the damages they have caused, others leave the expectation to cover it to the host, thus forcing the host to spend on costly repairs.
Do:
Take before and after photos of how the property looks for every guest that stays over.
Utilize Airbnb’s Host Guarantee for assurance.
Select guests carefully by checking their ratings and reviews.
Don’t:
It took too long to contact Airbnb after the reporting issues.
Allow being threatened by negative reviews from the more recent guests.
d. Fake Overbooking Scams
In this scenario, the fake host books their property with another host and says that he made a mistake and then switches off the booking and then books the host outside of the platform, and then cancels and gives some random place instead, which will be of worse quality or a complete rental will not be provided at all.
Do:
Make sure to review the booking confirmation.
Make sure to follow up on the matter through Airbnb’s support.
Don’t:
- Accept last-minute property switches outside Airbnb.
- Trust hosts with frequent cancellations.
3. Do’s and Don’ts to Avoid Common Airbnb Scams
Do’s
- Confirm Hosts and Guests: Read the reviews and check for users’ verified profiles.
- Communicate Elsewhere: All messages and payments should be made on the platform.
- Watch Out For: Payments done outside of Airbnb, booking without enough information, or extremely low rates are all symptoms of a scam.
- Use Secure Wi-Fi: Do not use public networks when accessing your Airbnb account.
- Policies: Understand the refund and cancellation policies as well as security protocols.
Don’ts
- Report anything suspicious to Airbnb and do not forget to mention frauds.
- Using the platform to talk to individuals outside of the site.
- Listings without reviews, or that appear too good to be true – give them a miss.
- Accepting payments through weird online channels and instead use steaming payment gateways.
- Refusing to cooperate with peers who suspect fraud over chats and making conversations instead of, ignoring reporting IDs to customer service.
- Chat and take requests through WhatsApp, as many scammers do this to completely avoid getting any attention.
Knowing some Airbnb scams can protect both guests and hosts from fraudulent activity. If you are going on holiday or managing a short-term rental business, you must know the described scams and the dos and don’ts paramount to protecting your Airbnb experience.
For useful and professional tips on hosting an Airbnb, check out GrowYourBnb and keep your short-term rental business scam-free.
