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

[Jed15]

Thanks for the fast reply @Ana1136 but how? It's on the Airbnb app I've used on my phone

[Ana1136]

@Jed15 I clicked and It didn't open in my app.But if it is on the official Airbnb website then we have no way of knowing if it is real but if you book at least you will be protected so you can take the chance. 

[Catalin16]

https://abnb.me/h5mEZJ42mX

Hello.its this real??

[Sarah977]

@Catalin16  Looks real to me. Why do you have doubts? This is run by a property management company- says they have 117 listings. They also have a Super Strict cancellation policy- you should read up on exactly what that means. And did you also read that that there are no parties allowed? Because, quite honestly, your profile photo screams party boy, you have been a member since 2016, yet have not one review, no profile information, and no verifications, just a phone number and a an email address. Hosts with high-end properties like this may not be keen to accept guests with no info on themselves and no reviews.

[Catalin16]

On booking the name of the villa is vogue.

On tripadvisor for 7 nights the price is 17000$.

[Sarah977]

@Catalin16  Did you input the same dates and the same number of guests on the different sites, or just look at the listing? You couldn't really compare the price discrepancy otherwise. 

[Catalin16]

Yep,i put the same dates and number of guest.i ll get in touch with host.

[Sean495]

Hi I’m looking to book and entire villa with my partner and children for 8th - 13th August. We have found 2 that we are interested in booking but are unsure of their legitimacy. Can you take a look and share you opinions. Much appreciated! 

https://abnb.me/Mr4k3HfCnX

https://abnb.me/Ttqv7W3JnX

[Zachary80]

Booked a cottage for 3 nights but for some reason have this gut feeling it may be fake can anyone verify for me this is my first time booking and it’s for a family trip https://abnb.me/OnXW8uoVnX

[Ange2]

@Zachary80     

If in doubt call airbnb and have them run a check.

+1-415-800-5959

+1-855-424-7262

[Sarah977]

@Zachary80  Why do you have a feeling it's fake? It looks quite real to me, it's just a new listing, therefore has no reviews yet, and also new listings usually offer discounted prices to get the first few guests and reviews. 

Fake listings tend to be high-end places (they've taken the photos off some real estate site or another booking platform) for some unbelievable price. This place looks modest and homey.

Have you messaged at all with the host, or just Instant Booked? If you haven't had communication with the host, do that now- send a friendly message, introduce yourself, ask any questions you might have that aren't answered in the listing itself. I suspect and hope you'll get a friendly message back that will set your mind at ease.

And since you say it's your first booking, what you may not know is that Airbnb doesn't release the payment to the host until 24 hours after check-in, so that's a safeguard for guests.

[Yuli13]

https://airbnb.com.listing0965239.host/1/listing/23/view-omrz3yrp/aHNwaCkq6A

what do you say about this one?

[Ana1136]

@Yuli13 definitely fake, this is not even the Airbnb website. 

[Yuli13]

just sent do airbnb the link, the telefone of the guy and the email.

[Sarah977]

@Yuli13  Airbnb can't do anything about this. These people who make these fake listings and fake Airbnb sites are just random criminals, they have nothing to do with Airbnb. Expecting that Airbnb can do something about it is like expecting Airbnb to do something about the fact that someone sent you an email telling you that you've won some contest and that if you just send them $100 to cover transaction fees, they will deposit your $5000 winnings into your bank account.