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Hello Fellow Hosts,
I want to share a growing scam targeting hosts. This message will outline what to look for, how scammers exploit your listing, and steps to protect yourself and report them.
How the Scam Works
Scammers typically send inquiries for long-term stays, often claiming to be in the "jewelry business." Their messages start with general questions like:
- Are the dates available?
- Is the property private?
Eventually, they’ll ask for a video of your listing, citing reasons like a bad experience with misleading photos or they want to understand the layout. Since Airbnb doesn't allow video sharing in inquiries, they'll eventually provide an external way to send it (e.g., a phone number).
How Scammers Use Your Listing
Once they obtain a video, scammers combine it with photos from your listing to create fake rental ads on sites like Craigslist, Apartments.com, or Kijiji. They scam potential tenants by collecting security deposits, using your video as “proof” of legitimacy.
How to Spot a Scam Inquiry
Scam inquiries often share these traits:
- Long-term booking requests (30+ nights).
- New accounts with no reviews, often using generic English names like Alice, Ellie, or Faye.
- Unusual booking reasons and sometimes a profile with Chinese language settings.
How to Handle and Report Scammers
- Verify the inquiry. Ask standard questions, such as the purpose of their stay and the number of guests.
- Do not share videos or personal contact information. Instead, reply:
"Unfortunately, Airbnb inquiries don't allow video sharing, but the photos on my listing are accurate, and my reviews speak to the quality of my space."
- Report suspicious activity. If they share contact details (because they always do), report their message to Airbnb. Most profiles are removed within minutes.
Here’s a helpful video on how to report a scammer:
Watch: How to Report a Scammer
How to Confirm a Profile is Removed
After reporting, you’ll receive an email confirmation like the one below. As a side note, I always laugh because it states, "If you observe similar behaviour or receive any of these types of messages, report them right away."
To double-check, follow this guide:
Watch: Confirming Profile Removal
I hope this helps you stay ahead of scammers and protect your listing from being used to scam others!
All the best and happy hosting!
