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

Answered!

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

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

Top Answer
Cynthia-and-Chris1
Level 10
Vancouver, WA

Welcome to Airbnb!

 

Here are a few things you can do to make sure the listing is real:

 

(1) Look at the reviews and make sure they seem to talk about the same place you are booking

(2) If the listing says anything about contacting the host outside of Airbnb before booking, DO NOT - this is a well-known scam.

(3) Look at the listing - if it seems "too good to be true" (aka luxurious penthouse for a super low rate) it probably is!

 

You can also post the link here and we can weigh in on our thoughts.

View Top Answer in original post

820 Replies 820

I am looking to book this listing for the running of the bulls in 2022. Can anyone verify its legitimacy?

 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5889643?adults=6&check_in=2022-07-13&federated_search_id=918404d9-bda1-...

@Constantine19  No one here can "verify" the legitimacy of an Airbnb listing. We can verify that other listings that purport to be Airbnb listings, but found on another site, that have fake Airbnb URLs and send emails to inquirers that are filled with lies about how Airbnb works are scams, and look to see if there is anything suspiciously scammy in an Airbnb listing. 

 

This looks like a perfectly normal Airbnb listing to me. It has 14 reviews, all of them good but not overly gushy- none read like fake  reviews. And when I clicked through to the guest profiles who wrote the reviews, they are legitimate guests with other reviews for past stays. And her review ratings aren't all 5* perfect, which a scammer wouldn't do- they'd make it all 5* across the board.

 

It actually looks like a nice place to stay and the hosts sound very welcoming and attentive. The description is a little short on details, so if you have any questions to ask to make sure it will be a good fit for you, send the host an inquiry message first. (The Contact Host button under the description)

Hi! This would be my first time ever booking an airbnb. Just to be safe, is there anything in this listing that may seem like a scam? 

 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/54033070?adults=10&check_in=2022-08-09&check_out=2022-08-16&federated_s...

@Truc24  It looks fine. Although this listing is new with only one review, if you look at the host's profile page, the host has 136 reviews for other properties and has had an Airbnb account since 2018. 

 

What doesn't look fine is your incomplete profile. As a new guest with no reviews for a host to go on, it's important for you to complete your profile info, as hosts may be wary of taking a booking from you.

 

Write up a short bio for yourself, so the host has a sense of you, upload a profile photo of your face, submit verified ID to Airbnb and your payment method info. It is extremely annoying to hosts to accept a booking, only to have their calendar blocked for your dates for 24 hours, because a new guest hasn't bothered to do any of this before trying to book something. It's like calling someone for a ride, then leaving them sitting there waiting while you have a shower, get dressed, blow dry your hair, and feed the dog.

 

And when you send a booking request, let the host know what attracted you to their listing, why you are coming, who will be in your group (are you a family, friends, are there children,  pets, etc.). Read all the listing info, including the house rules and let the host know you have done this. Airbnbs are private homes, it isn't like booking an impersonal hotel room. The host needs some indication that you will be a respectful guest.

Zima12
Level 2
Wooster, OH

https://abnb.me/k6wDesX7Qnb
is this fake? It’s new with no reviews so I’m a little sketch.. please help!!

Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Zima12 the hosts have 57 listings which can suggest you won't get the personal service you would hope to get from the owner of a single property. That said their reviews for other properties are generally OK. You can see these reviews by looking at their profile (click on their picture).

 

Can1371
Level 2
İzmir, Turkey

Guys, what do you think about this one? https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/586769377165891425?source_impression_id=p3_1647971849_FBwelRAFqub3M%2B8...

The place has just one single review and that review has been written buy a guy who also lives in Paris and has a listing in Paris.

The host has 100 reviews, all positive but dating back to 2017 mostly and I suppose not for the same apartment.

The place costs 1000 EUR for 6 nights in April. Does this price sound too good to be true for such a large apartment in Paris city centre?

Erik1606
Level 2
Des Moines, IA

Hi - wanted to see if this is a real listing? No reviews yet. 

https://abnb.me/UnvoJrDRGob

@Erik1606  Doesn't seem to be legit. Nothing comes up when using that link but an error message.

Hi everyone, does this seem suspicious? I feel like it’s too good to be true. 
https://abnb.me/vgW8N8UnIob

 

please help me verify if this listing is legit! I want to ensure the safety of my and my family! 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/54293476?source_impression_id=p3_1649319130_o9qLnTgUlSvcu%2FXe

please

help me verify if this Airbnb is legit! I want to ensure the safety of my and my family. 


https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/54293476?source_impression_id=p3_1649319130_o9qLnTgUlSvcu%2FXe