Is there a way to confirm a listing is real?

[Robert5266]

I've booked this and interacted with the host via Airbnb- which shows they are verified. The listing photos don't display correctly and the host bio says they are a travel agent in New York.

How does Airbnb verify a property and a host?

If i arrive and it's fake what happens? Will Airbnb find me lodging and provide a full refund?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/39133083

I've had success with previous bookings but this one made me nervous.

[Debra300]

@Robert5266,

To get the answers to your questions first hand, I suggest you do a search on this blog, Google, and the Airbnb help pages.

[Robert5266]

I did  do a search- thanks. Prior posts mostly addressed scams through Craigslist and other sites phishing as Airbnb listings. That's not what I'm asking about.  I didn't find the results helpful, so I posted this in hopes of getting my question answered directly in the Airbnb community which is referenced as a help page.

[Sarah977]

@Robert5266  There are only two reviews for this property, but the host has almost 200 reviews for the other properties she manages. If you click on her profile photo, you will see all the other reviews, which I suggest you read through. Many are good, but also many mention some red flags. It seems she asks for some cash payments in arrival (she says she mentions this in the listings, but hists aren't supposed to take cash off-platform) and boots guests out before their booking is over, due to nothing the guest has done wrong, but that she only wants week-long bookings. Yet accepts ones that aren't.

Personally, I wouldn't deal with her.

Airbnb used to be really good about finding guests alternate accommodation, but that service seems to have slipped considerably lately, judging from guest posts I've read here.

[Emilia42]

@Robert5266 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/544/what-if-i-need-to-cancel-because-of-a-problem-with-the-listi...

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2868/airbnb-guest-refund-policy

Personally, I would not have booked the listing that you linked. The host has 149 listings and a majority of the reviews are not good at all. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Robert5266 

How does Airbnb verify a property and a host?

-> They don't. Not really anyway. 

If i arrive and it's fake what happens? Will Airbnb find me lodging and provide a full refund?

-> If it's fake, then assuming you contact Airbnb immediately they will check (try contacting the host and look at Airbnb message history between guest and host) and once they confirm the listing is fake or address provided to the guest is incorrect, then they will provide a full refund (which could take days~weeks). Technically Airbnb says that in such cases they will help to find alternate lodgings but in reality getting timely support will be difficult, and more likely, you will be on your own to find alternate lodgings and will have to pay for it yourself. Airbnb will most likely provide a full refund (at a later point), will not cover the price difference, will not pay for your alternate lodgings nor will they compensate you for your troubles. - This would be covered by travel insurance, if you have it. 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/248/what-should-i-do-if-somethings-missing-or-not-as-expected-wh...

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/88/what-should-i-do-if-i-cant-get-in-touch-with-my-host

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/250/what-if-a-host-substitutes-another-listing-for-the-one-i-boo...

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/544/what-if-i-need-to-cancel-because-of-a-problem-with-the-listi...

[M199]

@Robert5266 

All good points above.  Just to add one more "follow your instincts".  If you are not comfortable with the listing, book elsewhere. I haven't researched the area/listings,  however, I would suspect that there are better/other options available.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Robert5266 Unless you are happy to pay the $75-$750 resort fee I would cancel quickly. If you leave it beyond 48 hrs you will be charged 50%