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
Caleb105
Level 2
Akron, IA

My friends and I are looking for a place for spring break. We have come across a listing that has the location slightly off from where it is actually at. I have been in communication with the host and seems legit as of now. However, The pictures are pretty bad, only one review, and the location part is throwing me off. Could any of y’all help me out 

Gustavo657
Level 1
Lisbon, PT
Mariana678
Level 1
Alcobendas, ES
Jeanette219
Level 2
Chorleywood, GB

Can anyone tell me if this link is actually legit please....

airbnb.rooms-reservation.com

Also the web page is not secure 

 

@Jeanette219  Fake scam. Not Airbnb URL.

Milly36
Level 2
England, GB

Hello can anyone tell me if this is a legit listing, it seems a bit too good to be true! https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/41827618?adults=10&check_in=2020-04-30&check_out=2020-05-03&source_im...

 

Many thanks

Zoe268
Level 2
Oslo, NO

Hi. Is it suspicious if the host has provided only phone number as verification? Everything else seems fine. Superhost, has 32 reviews (since last june), price is much like other rooms... I just want to be sure. There are a lot of scamers out there.

@Biljana29  With the reviews, and Superhost, no, it's not suspicious. When I first listed, over 3 years ago, I only provided a phone number and email address and I've never added any other verifications. And I can assure you I'm a legitimate host 🙂  Whenever a guest posts here with some doubts about the legitimacy of a listing, I always suggest that they just message the host- you'll usually get a nice, friendly response, answering any questions you might have, that will set your mind at ease.

Thank you so much.

Marcia431
Level 1
Canal Fulton, OH

https://abnb.me/ThQcQmnrC3 can you tell me if this is fake please?

Daniel7006
Level 1
Rehovot, IL

We saw a listing where in the pictures the host asks to contact him directly via e-mail.  He then sent us a link that led to a website that was not airbnb.com but airbnb.rooms... 

Once we contacted him, the listing was not accessible via airbnb.

 

When I tried entering from work, the network identified it as a Phishing website, or spam.  Now I am pretty sure he is not legit, but how do I report him to airbnb?

Channing2
Level 1
Falls City, OR

https://abnb.me/JYUwhKr1E3.       Trying to see if this is legit listing it's on the air bnb app

@Channing2  Why do you have doubts about it being legit? If you find things on the official Airbnb site, you can assume it's legit. Almost all the scams people write in here about are places they found via some other site, which don't have legitimate Airbnb URLs and where the person asks them for all kinds of personal info and communicates by email or text or phone. 

How would anyone on this forum know if every one of the millions of listings on the Airbnb app or website are legit or not? Do your own research- read the reviews, if there are any, message the host.

 

More tools to help you meet your goals

Resource Center

Explore guides for hospitality, managing your listing, and growing your business.