Airbnb Scam Alerts

Booking a vacation rental should be exciting. But these days, it’s become stressful due to the rise in online scams. Now, you never know if you’re actually reserving a villa or emptying your bank account into a scammer’s pocket.

In 2023, Airbnb said it removed nearly 60,000 fake listings and blocked about 157,000 fraudulent listing attempts on the platform. The company’s own survey found nearly half of the users in the U.S. have experienced a scam, with the average loss reported over $2,600 and 1 in 5 people losing over $5,000.

Scammers are getting cleverer and using advanced tech tools to create fake listings, impersonate hosts, and send phishing messages to trick travelers out of money or personal information.

The good news? Most Airbnb scams can be avoided with a little awareness and proactive safety habits.

Common Airbnb scam tactics

Fake listings

Fraudsters create listings that look authentic, sometimes copying photos and descriptions from legitimate properties. These listings often:

Offer unusually low prices compared to similar rentals in the area.
Claim to be “last-minute deals” or “exclusive discounts.”
Use stock images or stolen photos from real listings.

Warning signs: If a deal feels too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify the host’s profile, reviews, and listing history.

Off-platform payment requests

One of the most common Airbnb scams involves asking guests to pay outside the Airbnb platform through:

Wire transfers or direct bank transfers
PayPal, Venmo, or other peer-to-peer payment apps
Cash payments upon arrival

Why it’s dangerous: Airbnb’s payment system protects both hosts and guests. Paying outside the platform removes this safety net, and once the money is sent, recovery is nearly impossible.

Tip: Airbnb’s policy is clear: never pay outside the platform. If a host insists, it could be a scam.

Phishing messages and emails

Scammers often send messages that look like official Airbnb communications. These can:

Ask you to “verify your account” or “confirm a booking.”
Provide a link that leads to a fake login page.
Claim there’s a problem with your payment method.

Warning signs: Check the sender’s email carefully. Never click suspicious links—log in directly via the official website or app.

Impersonating hosts or Airbnb staff

Fraudsters may pose as:

Legitimate hosts offering “special deals” or “private bookings.”
Airbnb support agents claiming there’s a problem with your reservation.

Tactics: They often create a sense of urgency: “Book now or lose this property,” or “Your account will be suspended unless you act immediately.”

Tip: Always communicate and pay through Airbnb’s official platform. Verify any host or support contact using official Airbnb channels.

Overpayment or refund scams

Some scammers try to trick guests by sending fake payment confirmations or claiming they accidentally overpaid. They then ask you to refund the “extra” amount.

Why it’s risky: Often, the original payment never existed or the confirmation is fake, leaving you out of pocket once you send money.

Last-minute cancellation scams

A host may cancel your booking at the last minute and suggest you book a “different property” directly with them to avoid Airbnb fees.

Why it’s a scam: Paying off-platform removes Airbnb’s protections, and you have no guarantee that the property exists.

Tip: Always rebook through Airbnb. Avoid paying anyone directly outside the platform, even if they pressure you.

Identity theft and data collection scams

Some scammers request sensitive information under the guise of confirming your reservation, such as:

Full name, address, or passport details
Credit card numbers outside the Airbnb checkout system
Personal contact information

Tip: Only provide personal and payment details through Airbnb’s official checkout. Never email or message sensitive data directly to a host.

Fake reviews or profile manipulation

Some scammers create fake accounts with glowing reviews to appear trustworthy. They may:

Use stock images as profile photos
Create multiple accounts to post fake positive reviews
Claim to have many “verified bookings”

Tip: Look for authentic reviews with specific details, not generic praise like “Great host!” or “Lovely stay!”

Scammers rely on urgency, trust, and the appeal of a “too-good-to-miss” deal. The moment you pause, verify, and stick to Airbnb’s official platform, you remove most of their power. Awareness is your first and best defense.

Airbnb scam calls: What you need to know

While most Airbnb interactions happen safely through the app or website, scammers have also started targeting users with phone calls. These calls can be convincing, so it’s important to know what to watch out for and how to respond safely.

Common Airbnb scam call tactics

Impersonating Airbnb support

Scammers may call claiming to be from Airbnb’s customer support. They often:

Say there’s a problem with your account or booking.
Pressure you to verify personal information or payment details.
Threaten account suspension or loss of a reservation if you don’t act immediately.

Red flag: Airbnb support never calls you unprompted. All official communication is usually through the app or verified emails.

Verification or account lock scams

Fraudsters sometimes claim your account is at risk and push you to:

Reveal your login credentials
Provide a verification code sent to your phone
Download apps or click links to “fix” the problem

Red flag: Airbnb will never ask for passwords or verification codes via phone.

Fake host or property issues

Scammers may pose as hosts and claim:

Your payment didn’t go through.
The property has an issue and you need to pay extra for “repairs” or a “replacement stay.”

Red flag: Any request for payment outside Airbnb could be a scam. Hosts are not allowed to request direct payments over the phone.

How to stay safe from Airbnb scam calls

Here are some simple steps you can take if you encounter an Airbnb scam call:

Hang up immediately if you didn’t initiate the call.
Verify through official channels: Log into Airbnb via the app or website to check for any real issues.
Never give personal or payment information over the phone unless you are sure it’s an official Airbnb representative.
Report suspicious calls to Airbnb via their official support page.
Use tools like ReversePhone to check unknown numbers before answering—it can help identify scammers before you pick up.

How ReversePhone can help protect against Airbnb scams

When it comes to Airbnb scams—especially scam calls—knowledge can be power, and that’s exactly where ReversePhone comes in. It’s a simple but effective tool that helps you verify unknown numbers before engaging, giving you an extra layer of protection.

Scammers often call from numbers that look legitimate or are spoofed to appear as Airbnb support. With ReversePhone, you can:

Quickly check who owns the number.
See if it’s associated with previous scam reports.
Decide whether to answer or ignore the call.

ReversePhone acts as a digital safety net. It lets you screen unknown calls, avoid scams, and protect your Airbnb experience from fraudsters—all in real time.