A recent study of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) found 43% of online shoppers encountered fake listings for non-existent vacation rentals. Millions of consumers lost money. Scams typically ranged from bait-and-switch rooms to phony listings altogether, using pictures from legitimate listings to lure a deposit.
To avoid any disappointment and to make sure you don’t lose any money, here is a list of the 7 most common Airbnb and other rental scams:
1. Fake pictures
Photos have been photoshopped, flipped, or the edges just don’t match up or have weird shadows. Fake photos are a classic scam. If the listing at an reasonable price in a excellent location with top photos is too good to be true, it is worth-while spending a few minutes to do a reverse-Google-image-search.
How can I do this? First, save the image from the listing to your desktop. Then go to images.google.com and click on the camera icon on the right-hand side to upload the saved listing photo. If the photo can be found on any other website, it will show up, and you may notice the images are being used for other fake listings with different addresses.
2. The host wants to WhatsApp
Airbnb strongly advises all communication and payments happen through their app or on their website, to protect guests and hosts from fraud. This means even if your potential host sends you their phone number or wants to WhatsApp you, the red flags should come up. Usually, scammers will try to offer you a lower rate if you pay in cash or e-transfer. Never pay in cash! There is no recourse.
3. No reviews
New listings are not uncommon, and it takes time to build your reputation on Airbnb. So, a review-less listing is not necessarily a scam. But do your due diligence to find out if the host is verified by Airbnb.
4. Too many reviews
Another scam is too many good reviews. If a listing has multiple good reviews in a row, all with similar wording, it could be a sign of paid reviews.
Airbnb scammers will sometimes even get family members and friends to leave multiple good reviews to inflate the listing score. Look for listings with hosts that have super host badges.
5. The website has a different domain name
If you see Aiirbnb.com and not Airbnb.com, again, red flags should come up. Make sure the website you have landed on is the real Airbnb site. A trick scammers will try to pull is to buy domain names similar to the real thing. Another way to prevent this from happening is to use the mobile app. This way there’s no chance of confusion.
6. Fake damage claims
Claims of fake damages or extremely high expense for (extra) cleaning fees is another scam. If you find yourself in a position like this, go through Airbnb’s Resolution Centre. They will vet the claim and sort out the matter between you and the host.
7. The listing looks great until you arrive
This one is not necessarily a scam, it’s sometimes just the reality. Pictures can only do a property so much justice. If you are unlucky enough to arrive at an Airbnb and it’s not like you imagined, you can get your money back. If your booking is not optimal, Airbnb will rebook you a new listing of the same or better value, or offer you a full refund if you tell them 24 hours after check-in.
Be aware, it does not matter how save it is to rent via Airbnb nowadays. There are always scammers around you are after your hard-earned money. Pay close attention to these 7 scams and you limit your risk.
Sven Franssen