Scam alert! How can I make sure a listing is real?

[Kim207]

This will be my first time using Airbnb so I'm a bit weary about listings being fake.

What can I do to make sure a listing is real and not a scam?

What should I be looking out for?

Thanks

[Ruthalee0]

Yes, I did. I have the email confirmation and everything. I called they said they're gonna try and contact her and if I arrive tomorrow and it's not a true listing they will take care of me. But I don't want to wait until I arrive and find out its fake I need to know now.

[Sarah977]

@Ruthalee0    Yes, of course you don't want to arrive and find out there's no one there, that would be really upsetting and inconvenient. I think if they can't get ahold of her today, you should insist you want them to find you another place BEFORE you go all that way to find out no one is there.

And for the next time- try not to make last minute bookings, and start communicating with the host before you commit to book a place. That way, you'll be aware of any red flags, like they don't respond and you'll have 48 hours to cancel for a full refund and find another place. For instance, I always message with my guests when they book, and may exchange a few other messages before their arrival, and I make sure they have directions, a map, and any other details for check-in about a week before their arrival.

[Ruthalee0]

Thank you I truly appreciate your help. Will they help me with this? I'm really nervous right now?

[Sarah977]

@Ruthalee0  I can't say whether they'll help you or not- sometimes they are helpful, sometimes not, it depends what CS rep you happen to get. If I were you, I'd tell them that it's just not acceptable to you to go to the listing when the host hasn't answered any of your messages, that her phone number doesn't work and that so far, Airbnb hasn't been able to contact her either (assuming that's true). That you feel extremely uncomfortable about this and that you'd like them to find you another place to stay, rather than you risk standing outside, in a strange place, a woman alone, with nowhere to stay. Stress your concerns for your safety.

[Ruthalee0]

OK, I'm doing that right now. Thank you again I hope they get this under control. I am so nervous right now.

[Melisa53]

I came across this listing and noticed it didn’t have any reviews. I’m curious if it’s fake?

https://abnb.me/UtesVo0RdX

[Ana1136]

@Melisa53 yes it is. 

[João-Pedro1]

Hello, can anyone check if this one is scam? https://airbnb.home-list-online.com/1/listing/13/view-6201ylre/QiPFRv_xcg

We already paid by bank transfer, but it seems someone had a better offer, so they said they will cancel.
In the site it says we can cancel and get refund, but there isn't any option to do that.

[Ana1136]

@João-Pedro1 this is a fake Airbnb url so the listing is not real, I doubt they will send the money back. 

[João-Pedro1]

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@Ana1136 wrote:

@João-Pedro1 this is a fake Airbnb url so the listing is not real, I doubt they will send the money back. 

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Hi Ana, thx for the reply. Can Airbnb do anything? Is it worth to report to them? I am gonna talk to my bank to see what can be done

[Ana1136]

@João-Pedro1 make sure you do, they can probably do something. I don't think Airbnb can do anything since this is not posted on their page. You can still report it, maybe they have some other options. 

[Alice595]

@João-Pedro1The URL does not look like from Airbnb. Airbnb URL should contain airbnb.com/

[Eoin18]

Hi, I booked this place with a new host. There has been only one review that says they cancelled a day before arrival. Im travelling over from Ireland so to be cancelled a day before I arrive would be a huge inconvenience. Is this real? https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/35161984?guests=1&adults=1&sl_alternate_dates_exclusion=true&source_impr...

[Ana1136]

@Eoin18 

[Eoin18]

It's the official Airbnb website though?