13 Tips to Avoid Airbnb Scams in 2025 – 5 Red Flags & 4 Real Cases

Airbnb has revolutionized the way people explore new destinations and find accommodation. However, along with this innovation, greater challenges have arisen and encountering scams on Airbnb threatens to undermine the confidence of travelers who have turned to positioning the platform as the number one for finding short-term rentals.

What Are Airbnb Scams?

The Airbnb rental scam is identified by some recurring tactics such as fake listings that promise non-existent paradises, fake host accounts, cancellation fraud, even irresistibly cheap offers that hide dark intentions, which take you by surprise and ruin your plans.

These tricks can lead to a very bad experience, with financial losses that will leave you with the disappointment of a dream getaway that has become a real nightmare. On the web, it is increasingly common to find frauds on Amazon in the purchase and sale of services, as well as scams on Wallapop, eBay, Etsy, Alibaba, and so on, with a very similar modality.

However, the key to avoiding falling victim to the typical Airbnb scam is to follow certain recommendations and become aware of how they operate so that you can prevent digital fraud. As you become more aware of the warning signs and methods used by scammers, you can be more vigilant and implement effective strategies to avoid falling victim to one.

5 Typical Scams on Airbnb

Airbnb works by putting people who need to rent accommodation directly in contact with those who offer it, and although those responsible for the platform claim to have begun to take better measures to prevent the proliferation of scams on Airbnb, the truth is that these scams still occur.

Below, we will see the most common scams on Airbnb, pointing out that these frauds are not limited only to Airbnb in one specific country but occur practically anywhere in the world where the platform operates.

1. The most common scam – the bait-and-switch

One of the most repeated scams with Airbnb is the bait-and-switch at the last minute. It consists of placing a false listing that shows an accommodation with good characteristics and perfect condition. When a user makes the reservation, they may receive an email a few days before informing them of some supposed problem with the apartment and telling them that they will be accommodated in another location of equal or better category. However, the new accommodation will be in much worse condition than the rented one.

It is not necessary to receive this notice of the change either; sometimes the rented place has nothing to do with the one listing and the unpleasant surprise is given to the users when they arrive at the accommodation, normally a place not in very good condition.

2. A supposed fault in the plumbing of the apartment

Similar to the previous scam, we have the supposed fault in the apartment’s plumbing. In this case, the future tenant receives a notice from the host telling them that there is some serious problem with the plumbing that makes it unsafe or impossible to rent the apartment.

This excuse is used because, according to Airbnb’s Force Majeure Policies, the host is not penalized for cancellation if the property is not habitable. The platform assures that hosts are asked for proof of said damage to avoid applying the penalty, which can be an invoice from the company that has taken care of the repair work.

This scam with Airbnb apartments has other variations, such as claiming that the accommodation is not habitable because the previous tenants have left it in poor condition or because the host needs the property due to a family emergency. It is mainly used to rent the accommodation for a higher price than the person who made the first reservation paid.

3. False reservation: you arrive and find it occupied

Among the usual Airbnb scams, we also find this one: people who arrive at the rented accommodation and find that other people are already staying there. In principle, this scam cannot be carried out only through Airbnb since it disappears from the platform when an accommodation is reserved.

So, to do this, the scammer has the apartment advertised on another platform, where it can be rented out again. Although having accommodation available on several platforms of this type can be done, once the accommodation is rented, it is necessary to remove its availability from all the sites where it is published.

In this case, Airbnb reminds tenants that they must contact the platform’s customer service, which will help them find another accommodation of equal or higher category, even covering the price difference if it is higher.

4. Money transfers outside the platform

Another scam that we must be careful of is those hosts who ask us to make a payment as a deposit outside the platform, normally through means such as bank transfers, checks, or an external payment application.

This is one of the scams that Airbnb itself recognizes and warns about on its page, since any payment made outside the platform does not have any type of guarantee. The same occurs with communications, these must always be carried out through the platform itself.

a) Payment via Western Union

The owner of the accommodation offers to pay an advance or the entire amount for the stay (in exchange for a good discount) via Western Union. Upon arrival, either no one meets you, or the proposed option does not exist at all. It is worth agreeing to such conditions if you personally know the owner and trust him completely.

b) Verbal agreement

The owner offers to pay for the reservation upon arrival, you correspond via email or by phone. Risk – if someone makes a more interesting offer to the owner of the accommodation, then nothing will stop him from refusing you at the last moment – it is good if he warns you about this.

c) Fake invoice in PDF (by email)

You send a request to the owner of the accommodation and receive an email with an invoice in PDF format with fake Airbnb details. You are asked to pay the rent to this account. This is 100% a scam – all payments are made automatically in the system and funds are withdrawn from the card linked to the site.

d) Payment failed

After payment, you receive a letter that the payment failed (transfer problems), the funds will be returned to your account within 3 days, and you are offered to pay for your stay by direct transfer to a bank account. 100% scam – do not pay anything.

In any of the described cases, remember the main rule of Airbnb: “All financial issues are resolved (payments are made) ONLY through the Airbnb website! No direct payments and transfers to the owner of the property. If you are asked on Airbnb, via email, or through another method of communication to make a payment outside Airbnb without prior notice, it may be fraudulent.”

5. Claiming alleged damage to the property

Finally, one of the Airbnb scams that is most difficult to prove is one in which the host claims alleged damage to the property from the tenant.

While it is true that damage is sometimes caused to the accommodation, there are times when hosts try to get extra money by claiming an exorbitant amount for repair or cleaning services.

4 Real Cases of Airbnb Scams

We also looked at typical real-life situations that people most often encounter during an unsuccessful rental experience and compiled safety rules to avoid such stories.

1. You can be a webcam model and don’t know it

In 2017, a couple in the US rented a townhouse in Florida through the service to spend their vacation there, but the pleasant impression was spoiled – the guy and the girl found a hidden camera in the smoke detector right above the bed. As it turned out later, there were two cameras: both pointed at the bed, but from different angles. It turned out that the 56-year-old owner of the house received excellent content, because the video was recorded in HD and with sound. How long he recorded what was happening in the bedroom of his house is unknown, but by that time he had been registered on the service for about 2 years and had 40 positive reviews.

All Airbnb did then was issue a public statement saying they were sorry and that the owner who had listed the townhouse had been banned from the service.

2. You can accidentally rent a room in a brothel by mistake

A guy who came to Long Island City to conduct cancer research got into an unpleasant situation. He rented a room in a duplex for 4 months, but instead of smiling neighbors, there were other visitors in the house, and they changed not daily, but hourly: Axel Brorson said that he watched in bewilderment as a man and a woman were led into the next room by a cleaner, who then stood guard outside the door. All this time, groans and noise were heard from the next room.

The guy spent only a couple of days in the duplex, and the last straw was the crumpled pillows on Axel’s bed, which he noticed when he returned to the room after a working day. Naturally, the tenant immediately decided to change housing and asked the owner of the rooms to return the rent paid in advance. However, the obstinate host insisted that the agreement between him and the tenant was still in effect, and as for the noisy couple, he claimed that “the people who came into the room were there to fix the bed.”

Airbnb also initially refused to refund Axel Brorson’s money, noting that the host had offered to install a lock on the door to Brorson’s room. The situation for Axel only moved forward after The Post wrote about the incident. Airbnb spokesman Peter Schottenfels said: “We have removed the host from our platform and are refunding the guest’s payment in full. Prostitution is prohibited and we have a zero-tolerance policy toward it,” he added.

If such conflicts arise, the first step is to contact the service’s administration. But as practice shows, it is much faster to resolve the issue of concern if you make the incident widely public.

3. Where’s the Money, Pugaczewski?

A Manhattan law firm employee was horrified to discover he’d paid $9,000 in advance for three months for a dilapidated apartment in a run-down, run-down building where drug dealers live and sell drugs. The landlord was a former Victoria’s Secret model named Lyndsay Scott.

The site described the two-bedroom apartment as “comfortable yet modern” with “plenty of essential amenities.” Airbnb didn’t publish the address, but based on the description, attorney Christian Pugaczewski assumed the apartment was in the luxury Riverwalk condo. When he got the address, he realized the apartment was actually in the nearby Eastwood complex, a run-down apartment complex recently converted from federally subsidized housing.

The tenant couldn’t stand the apartment for more than one night: the plaster was peeling, the windowsill and air conditioner were covered in soot and dirt, and a hole in the floor was covered with barstools. The apartment description didn’t mention any defects. The lawyer ended up paying $9,000 for three months’ rent, plus an extra $20,000 “for canceling at the last minute.”

As you might have guessed, Pugaczewski never got his money back, and the lawyer sued the landlord, Lyndsay Scott, and Airbnb for tricking him into renting “a property that was significantly different from what was pictured.”

4. You can “Kick the Bucket”

We’ve saved the blood-curdling stories for later. You might get attacked in an Airbnb apartment. In the best-case scenario, you’ll stay alive, healthy, and rich: in 2021, the company paid $7 million to a woman who was rapist and hid in her apartment. In the worst-case scenario, employees of the corporation’s secret department will carry you out of the apartment in pieces, dismembered by some maniac.

Airbnb is said to have a secret team of 100 agents known as Black Box to cover up murders, deaths and sexual assaults in rental properties, according to the UK publication METRO, citing Bloomberg Businessweek:

“The agents, many of whom have military or police backgrounds, are based in cities around the world, including Dublin, Montreal and Singapore. Bloomberg Businessweek found that they have a ‘blank cheque’ to pay to support guests and hosts, and are even forced to clean up dismembered bodies. The short-term rental giant spends about $50 million (£35 million) a year on payments,” the article said.

• In one such case, a rape victim received millions in exchange for agreeing not to “hold responsibility” on Airbnb or her host after a “career criminal” used a duplicate key to enter a New York rental and attack her with a knife in 2016.
• In another case, 36-year-old American Carla Stefaniak was killed by a security guard at an Airbnb in Costa Rica in 2018 after telling friends the security was “unreliable.” Her family received an undisclosed amount from Airbnb.

13 Tips on How to Avoid Scams on Airbnb

Without a doubt, the best way to avoid scams on Airbnb is to be cautious and take into account the recommendations we leave you below.

1. Make sure you are on the authentic Airbnb page

Cloning pages by making them look like real ones is one of the ways to scam potential victims. Airbnb is not the only one that suffers from this problem and it is common to end up on these fake sites when clicking on a link that comes to us through an email, supposedly sent by Airbnb, where they offer us some interesting accommodation offer.

Obviously, when clicking on the link, we are taken to a fake website, which aims to steal both our data and our money. It is a fairly common phishing technique, in which victims end up giving their personal and banking information, believing that they are on the legitimate page.

To make sure that you are really on the Airbnb page, look at the URL (the address that appears in the address bar of the browser). This must start with https, where the “s” means that we are in a safe place and that the operations we do there will be encrypted.

To make things easier for you, here is the official Airbnb website.

2. Read Airbnb’s legal and refund policies carefully

Although it is common not to do so, it is always advisable to read Airbnb’s legal and refund policies carefully, since in them we can see in which cases we have the right to claim a refund or carry out a cancellation without losing what we paid in case we believe we have been victims of some type of scam or deception with the accommodation we have rented.

3. Carry out all the procedures only on Airbnb platform

Just as you must ensure that the page on which you are making the reservation is the official Airbnb page and not a fake one, when carrying out the rest of the procedures, you must also stay within the platform itself.

As we said, both the communications you maintain with the host and the payments must always be made within and through Airbnb, since, on the one hand, the communications are recorded, which can serve as evidence in the event of a dispute or litigation with the host. On the other hand, payment through the platform is made through secure means, which can make it easier to recover the money paid later.

If a host asks you to continue talking to him/her through an email (or by phone), you can already distrust him/her. The same if he asks you to make part of the payment through an external means and different from those of the platform.

4. Pay attention to the details of the listing

Give preference to offers that clearly state the living conditions, availability of amenities, distance to shops (public transport stops), etc. A responsible landlord will provide a full description and not limit himself to standard phrases like “amazing apartment”

What’s the catch? Hidden payments – some property owners have already been noted for this type of “fraud”. For example, you may be additionally billed for utilities (electricity, heating, etc.), which is not mentioned in the description, although the amenities will be listed in the “standard package”. Do not hesitate to ask the owners questions.

If something seems out of the ordinary or doesn’t inspire confidence, it’s best to reconsider your reservation or report the listing to Airbnb before confirming.

5. Look carefully at the photos of the accommodation

Please note that if the photo has the Airbnb logo, it means the photo was taken by the company’s employees who personally visited and assessed the accommodation (this applies to accommodation in Europe and the USA). You can trust such photos 100%. If there is no logo, it means the photos belong to the owner and may (not necessarily) differ from reality (for example, the photos were taken several years ago and the renovation is a little outdated).

If the photo is dominated by city landscapes, and the apartment itself is represented by 2-3 not very high-quality photos, this is a serious signal to think twice.

6. Read about the area where the accommodation is located

Rarely (but sometimes) mistakes are made with the location of the apartment on the map. It will be a big disappointment if you hoped to be located closer to the center, but it turned out that the apartment is in a residential area. Check with the owner the address (street, house) before booking, if you have any doubts.

7. Avoid bookings without a cancellation policy

Not having a cancellation policy can mean you’ll lose all your money in the event of an emergency. For example, if your flight gets cancelled or you have an unforeseen circumstance, you won’t be able to get your money back. Airbnb offers several levels of cancellation policy, and it’s best to choose a “flexible” or at least “moderate” policy, where you can get a partial refund.

Even if you’re booking a place a day or two before your arrival, try to look for options that offer a partial or full refund. This is especially true for travelers who are at risk of having their plans change at the last minute.

Airbnb’s cancellation policies

Policy	Refund conditions for guest	Host obligations
Flexible	– Full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours before check-in. – If canceled less than 24 hours, the first night is non-refundable, but remaining nights are refunded.	– Hosts must allow refunds as outlined. – Quick rebooking may be required for vacant dates due to cancellations.
Moderate	– Full refund for cancellations made at least 5 days before check-in. – If canceled within 5 days, the first night and 50% of remaining nights are non-refundable.	– Hosts benefit from slightly more predictable bookings while still providing a reasonable refund window for guests.
Strict	– 50% refund for cancellations made at least 7 days before check-in. – No refund for cancellations made within 7 days of check-in.	– Hosts receive more booking stability, but must honor refunds according to policy if cancellations occur.
Long term	– First month is non-refundable for stays of 28 nights or more if canceled less than 30 days before check-in. – Refunds are prorated for cancellations during the stay.	– Hosts secure a long-term commitment while allowing prorated refunds during a guest’s stay if needed.
Super strict 30 days	– 50% refund for cancellations made at least 30 days before check-in. – No refund for cancellations made within 30 days of check-in.	– Hosts gain significant booking protection for high-demand listings. – This policy is only available upon request from Airbnb.
Super strict 60 Days	– 50% refund for cancellations made at least 60 days before check-in. – No refund for cancellations made within 60 days of check-in.	– Hosts enjoy the highest level of protection, ensuring long-term stability for luxury or high-demand listings. – This policy requires approval from Airbnb.
Non-refundable	– No refund for cancellations at any time, regardless of reason.	– Hosts benefit from full payment retention but risk lower booking rates due to the strict terms.

Tip: Use Airbnb’s filters to only select listings that offer flexible cancellation policies. This will save you time and minimize risk.

8. Don’t accept extra charges without a clear explanation

Additional fees are a common way for scammers to trick guests. These can be hidden charges for cleaning, services, or utilities that are not listed in the listing.

Before booking, carefully review the pricing section. All official fees, including rent, taxes, cleaning, and service fees, should be listed on the booking page. If a host asks you to pay something in “cash” or by transferring to a personal card, this is a violation of Airbnb policy and should be disputed immediately through customer service.

If you are asked to pay anything extra after booking, contact Airbnb customer service immediately. They have mechanisms for resolving disputes that protect the rights of guests. For example, if a host claims that you need to pay extra for using the pool, although this is not stated in the listing, take a screenshot of the correspondence and send it to Airbnb representatives.

9. Look at the ratings and comments on the listing

Look at the profiles of the hosts, both to check that the host’s data is complete (always a good sign), as well as the comments and ratings left by other users who have previously rented their accommodation.

The more positive reviews and ratings a host has, the more trustworthy they are, especially if they have the Superhost badge that Airbnb awards to hosts with more than 10 reservations made, a high percentage of positive reviews, good treatment of tenants, response to queries, etc.

10. Device against bugs and surveillance cameras

This is a simple and relatively inexpensive invention that will fit even in the smallest pocket of a Wasserman vest – a detector of cameras and bugs. A device similar to a walkie-talkie can detect hidden radio microphones and radio cameras by radio emission, hidden cameras – by a “glare” from the lens, and devices with a magnetic base – using a specialized antenna with a magnetic sensor. You can buy one in an online store and even in large retail chains that sell electronics.

11. Take an alarm with you

This is a small device that is installed on windows or doors. If they are opened, you receive a notification on your phone. So if someone enters the house while you are away, you will know about it. There are a lot of options on Amazon, for instance.

12. Are there fire alarms on Airbnb?

It is important to remember that in a rented apartment, during a trip or business trip, you will face the same risks as usual (well, except for maniacs, perverts and murderers). These are fires and emergency situations, during which you need to follow the same safety rules. You can ask the owners of the house about the presence of smoke detectors in advance or take a smoke detector and CO2 with you. Also check the evacuation plan of the house to know how to evacuate in case of a fire.

13. Follow your intuition

Finally, the last piece of advice we give is “If you don’t trust a listing or host, it’s best to look elsewhere. Travel should be a pleasant experience, not a source of stress”. Scammers often post suspicious listings to trick gullible travelers. Your inner doubts are the first signal that something may be wrong. What to look for:

• If the photos look too good for the listed price, this is a reason to be wary.
• If the host is rude, avoids questions, or answers in monosyllables, this may be a sign that there may be problems with them.
• No reviews or negative comments about the host should also raise questions.

These points will help minimize risks and avoid unpleasant situations when using Airbnb. Always remember that it is better to be safe than face unpleasant consequences later.

Conclusion

Airbnb scams are a common sight for every traveler, but armed with the proper knowledge, you can easily avoid the trap and avoid scams. If you have been affected, you can always turn to the platform or your bank, but always remember to book through the official platform, do your research before committing, and watch out for suspicious details.

Embark on your next trip and create unforgettable memories with these tips so you can avoid the Airbnb rental scam while navigating the world of vacation rentals with complete confidence. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility that Airbnb offers you with the assurance that you will enjoy your trip without unnecessary worries.

Frequently asked questions about
Airbnb scams

Updated on: 2025-03-04. Author: Mark Vasiliy Smetanin

Tags: Airbnb Choosing an apartment