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

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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.

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820 Replies 820
Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Jill1231 who knows! It looks fine but with no reviews you can't be sure I am afraid. I suggest you exchange messages and see how you get on.

https://abnb.me/FGsU01rgHxb

Hi there. Can you let me know your opinion on this one. Thank you 

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does this look legit to you

Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Ben5050 as long as you pay through Airbnb all should be well. The moderators will remove your link I am afraid

Thankyou. The property has disappeared from the website anyway 

Hey can someone look at this listing for me and tell me if it’s real?

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Had the same question! New to air bnb and wondering if this listing is for real? All it's reviews are from March and April 2023...Raimondo's profile seems like something out of Grey's Anatomy and hard to believe! Thoughts?

 

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Does this listing seem legit?

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Does this listing seem legit?

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Jenny
Community Manager
Community Manager
Galashiels, United Kingdom

Hi @Lora408 

If you scroll down this listing, you'll see that the Host has a number of properties, and you can actually click a link to see their reviews.  That should give you more of an idea about their Hosting standards.

 

I did want to mention though, that I noticed that the Host asks for all reservation enquiries to be made through Whatsapp.  It sounds like the listing is advertised on more than one platform.  It's not professional to have things set up that way, and I would advise caution if you were to book using their process, as Airbnb actually prohibit booking off-platform.

 

There's more about the off-platform policy here - and for your own security we recommend you should only book and communicate via the Airbnb app.

Jenny

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Please follow the Community Guidelines

Can someone opine on this?
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is this a scam listing or a real one.