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

1 Best 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 Best Answer in original post

811 Replies 811

@Hannah483  The place is on the official Airbnb site, so we have to assume it's real and you say the host has responded nicely, which is a good sign- it's a new listing, therefore has no reviews yet.

Not everything shows up on Goggle maps- especially remote locations. My place doesn't show up on Google maps, but I can assure you it exists.

BTW, you didn't pay a "deposit"- you chose the half up front option. That's not a deposit to reserve the place, it's just half of the full payment and Airbnb will withdraw the rest from your account at some date they would have given you when you booked. I don't know if you are aware, but hosts don't get paid until 24 hours after guests check in. Until then, your payments are held by Airbnb. 

https://abnb.me/qaQ81yPjQX 

Could you help me verify if this is real? 

 

Yogesh6
Level 1
Wellington, New Zealand

Hi there. I am interested in finding out if the following post is real!

 

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/25301593?location=Napier%2C%20Hawke%27s%20Bay&source_impression_id=p3...

 

Thanks 

Josh345
Level 2
Carmel, IN

   ?

Murphy6
Level 1
San Francisco, CA

Hey there- I just booked a reservation of this room in NYC: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36278431?source_impression_id=p3_1562129299_wNQXzHlNZlC2M0y0. Is there any way to verify if it is a real listing or not? I did some sleuthing in a Facebook NYC housing group and found an identical listing posted by someone else- albeit mentioning an email address similar to the hosts name. Anyway- I'm pretty new to booking on AirBNB- the host is verified. Should I ask for proof that it is real, like what should I do here? 

Kristy79
Level 1
Huntington Beach, CA

Can anyone tell me if this is real, I booked it but the no reviews , lack of verification  and profile pic have me second guessing, the host hasn't accepted yet but I'm thinking I'll ask him some questions to try and feel him out.

 

Check out this listing on Airbnb, Spectacular Views from 3 Bedroom Oceanside House
https://abnb.me/rbtjyg6JaY

Ana1136
Level 10
Ohrid, Macedonia (FYROM)

@Kristy79 since it is on the official Airbnb website we can't tell you for sure whether it is real or not. Communicate with the host and if you are uncomfortable for any reason you can call Airbnb and cancel. 

https://airbnb.com.rooms008062920.confirm-itinerary-36347923.host/1/listing/23/view-6v49iuaq/nw_u2O2...)

 

Hey I wanted to know if this is a genuine thing.. it's kind of urgent for me.

 

Also if I can't get back to you here you can reach me through my mail- ojhamadhavi96@gmail.com.

 

Regards

Denise821
Level 1
New Haven, CT

Hey guys I’m unsure about this listing and wanted to know what you guys think. I’m always skeptical when there’s no reviews in the place. Thanks! 

https://abnb.me/Z4eqicO7cY

 

also I sent her a message asking if she has parking, she said she doesn’t so I didn’t respond and a day later I got a text every day saying I was invited to book the apartment

Frank729
Level 1
Dublin, Ireland

https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/36519889?wl_source=list&wl_id=571245230&role=wishlist_owner&adults=1&chi...

 

Fake or real. There are no reviews and does not seem like there is any other bookings in the coming months

Claudia1728
Level 1
Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Can somebody check this one out? I am worried that one person said it was fake about another of her proprieties the rest did not...https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/35473440?source_impression_id=p3_1562956953_wHTU6Nch6EgCmCcm

 

Sebastian491
Level 1
Edmonton, Canada

Hello, 

 

Can anyone help me determine if this airbnb is fake? Everything was done through the airbnb website. And the place is "fully booked" for the past month and for the following two months. 

 

Pictures look normal, it is just a bit strange that a place that is booked so often has NO reviews? 

 

Thanks for any advice. Here is the link of the place: 

 

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/35740691?source_impression_id=p3_1562991191_AP6QjSwReJgvC2bt

@Sebastian491 

 

The host seemed to have joined recently - only in June. Maybe why there are no reviews so far.

 

Just because the dates are unavailable, it doesn't necessarily mean it is a guest booking.

 

It's on the airbnb site, and as long as the communications with the host are on-site only and 'wholesome', looks on track.

Thank you for your response!