How to avoid Airbnb scams

If you want to learn how to avoid Airbnb scams and spot them in real time, you have come to the right place. I’m going to show you 6 examples of common scams and what you need to look for.

As with everything in life, there is always a select few people who try to scam the system. From phone scammers to email scammers, they’re all out there looking for their next victim.

Airbnb is, unfortunately, no different. And there is an entire buffet of scams that these unsavoury hosts can choose from.

In this article, I will fill you in on how to avoid an Airbnb scam and tell you the latest on how to spot them. And, if you have fallen prey to scam, I will teach you how to get your money back into your pocket.

Can you get scammed on Airbnb?

The very short answer is yes. Scams exist on Airbnb, but the probability of experiencing one is quite low.

As per the stats shown by ipropertymanagement.com, only 3% to 7% of stays go wrong. Within that percentage, 13.45% of guest issues include four things in particular. Those issues being bug infestations, broken appliances, rude hosts, or hidden cameras.

Meanwhile misleading listings caused 12.2% of issues. The remaining 74.35% issues included items such as scams and fake listings.

But don’t let this put you off using Airbnb on your next adventure. I explain why Airbnb is a safe platform in this article. You just need to know what to look out for and how to avoid Airbnb scams.

Common Airbnb Host Scams

Scam #1 – Fake Airbnb Website

How it works – The scammer adds a listing to Airbnb and waits for their victim to enquire. They ask for the guest’s email and will proceed to talk to them off Airbnb. The scammer will reply to the guest with a link to a fake Airbnb site to which the guest will go ahead and book.

The funds from the “booking” will go directly to the scammer. Therefore leaving the guest arriving at a property that doesn’t exist or isn’t even an Airbnb.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – Spotting this scam is quite simple. The real Airbnb URL will always look like this – https://www.airbnb.com. The URL is also country-specific, https://www.airbnb.com.au, or https://es.airbnb.com and so on for each country.

A fake Airbnb URL will try to mimic this as much as they can. However you will always be able to spot the fake if you look close enough.

Here are some examples of fake Airbnb websites:

How to get your money back – The key here is time. You need to call your bank and catch your money before it hits the scammer’s bank account. Once the scammer has your funds, it will be an uphill battle to get it back. If it is a large sum, it is well worth involving the police.

Scam #2 – Bait and switch

How it works – In the days leading up to a booking, the guest receives a message from the scammer host. It will explain how the original listing is no longer available. But in reality, they have another property that they can move them to which is similar.

The host pressures the guest into taking the other property which is always worse than the one advertised. This could be a worse location, smaller room, no blinds etc.

In other words, this Airbnb scam is advertising a beautiful property in a great location to bait a guest. At the last minute the host tries moving the guest to somewhere worse.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – Avoiding this scam can be tricky. For example, there is no way of knowing the booking is a scam until you get the message asking to switch. Your best bet is to stand firm and refuse the substitute property.

How to get your money back – Your first step is to ask the host to cancel – never cancel yourself or you will pay fees. Always communicate through the platform so Airbnb have a log of all your messages. This is your proof that will come in handy later on. Never communicate via private email or phone calls!

If the host is unable to offer what they advertised, you are entitled to a full refund. Call Airbnb customer service and explain the situation. They will find you alternate accommodation or give you a full refund.

Scam # 3 – Plumbing Scam

How it works – The plumbing scam works in a similar way to the bait and switch. On the day of check-in, the host will message the guest and say that the plumbing isn’t working. But amazingly they always have somewhere better they can stay at.

And as usual, the other property is not as fancy or the location is further out from the city. This leaves the original property open to rent out again for a higher price. Meanwhile, you are now paying top dollar for a lesser Airbnb.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – The best way to avoid this scam is to check the reviews that others have left. If anyone mentions that they were relocated at the last minute, you can bet the same thing will happen to you too.

Always report this behaviour to Airbnb as soon as it happens so they can make a record of the scam.

How to get your money back – If the host springs this scam on you, call Airbnb asap. They can move you to another available Airbnb or give you a refund so you can find your own accommodation.

Scam #4 – Fake Damage Scam

How it works – A host sends a message to the guest after checkout accusing them of damaging something. This is usually a high-value item so the scammer can make the most bank.

The scammer will take photos of the damaged goods and send them to you. They are hoping you feel bad and pay for the damage, if not they send it off to Airbnb. If Airbnb decides that you have damaged the goods and will ask you to part with your money.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – To best avoid the scam, take photos or a video of the property before you check out. You can use the photos as proof if a host ever comes after you with false claims. It is very important to flag this behaviour to Airbnb as they may already have a bad record.

How to get your money back – The host will request money for you by launching a damage claim. So the key here is persistence. Regularly keep in contact with Airbnb support and asking questions. They will eventually listen to you and take you seriously. Again, persistence is key, call them every day and ask for a new case manager until you get one with common sense.

Scam # 5 – The Review Scam

How it works – The Airbnb review system is in place to keep hosts accountable. If it didn’t exist, a host would have no accountability for the quality of the property. The Airbnb could be filthy, have appliances that don’t work or never answer messages.

This is exactly how this Airbnb scam works. It takes out the review system leaving the host to do what they like without the risk of a bad review.

As explained in my article on how Airbnb reviews work, guests have 14 days to leave a review. So in this scam, a guest messages the host seeking compensation for a bad experience. However, the host strings out the responses back and forth, delaying the process. Eventually the 2-week deadline will pass, thus leaving the guest with no way to leave a review.

If a guest does leave a bad review, the host can create a fake message thread on their phone. This will read something like “Give me a refund or I will leave a bad review“. This type of massage (if real) breaks Airbnb’s extortion policy. The host sends this to Airbnb who will take the bad review down no questions asked.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – Contact Airbnb customer service straight away if you have any issues. They will discuss the issue with you and then call the host and try to resolve it. Then there will be a record of you making the call. This will be enough proof to leave an honest review without fear of having it removed.

Scam #6 – Paying outside of Airbnb

How it works – The host will try to offer you a lower amount if you pay outside of Airbnb. Often the listing is a fake or is not as advertised, or is in a different area. Now, this is where they get you with this scam. Your usual guarantees and assurances from Airbnb are void, as you paid away from the platform. So to put in bluntly, you are now on your own while the host pockets your cash.

How to avoid the Airbnb scam – Avoiding the scam is super simple. Don’t under any circumstances pay off the platform no matter how appealing the offer is.

How to get your money back – Without the help of Airbnb, your only option is to go to the police. You can plead your case and show them the message history with the scammer. You can use this as evidence of the transaction, but it is a long shot.

How to report an Airbnb scam

Reporting scams is key to getting a listing shut down so the scammer can’t offend again. The best way to get in contact with Airbnb is by phone, Twitter or by asking the Airbnb community experts.

For a full list of Airbnb phone numbers for each country, see this list posted by a community member.

To report a scam to Airbnb these are the steps you need to take. Folow these to give you the best chance for full compensation.

You must be the Guest that booked the Accommodation
You have to report the issue to Airbnb via their messaging service or by telephone within 24 hours.
Provide Airbnb with adequate photos, videos or other evidence about the issue.
Respond to any further requests for information specified by Airbnb
You must not have caused the issue yourself
To receive a refund or any alternate accommodation, you must vacate the property. If you want to stay, you may qualify for a partial refund.

Airbnbs Guest Refund Policy

To help guard guests from these scams, Airbnb have a guest refund policy in place.

The refund policy is available to all guests who use Airbnb and have an issue with their stay. Under the policy, guests receive a full refund or Airbnb can move them to a different property of the same value.

Refer to Airbnbs official policy page for more details of what this policy includes.

Airbnb Scams – Summary

By now you will have a good idea on how to spot an Airbnb scam in real time.

There are many different scams out there and all are very convincing. However, when you know what to look for, they stand out like a sore thumb.

In summary, the 6 most common Airbnb scams out there are:

Fake Airbnb website
Bait and switch
Plumbing scam
Fake damage scam
Review scam
Paying outside of Airbnb

I’ve shown what to look for and how to deal with them. Remember, always communicate via the Airbnb app and to always read reviews carefully.

If you know of anymore scams out there, let me know in the comments section and I can add to the article.