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

807 Replies 807

@Ashley558  Yes, it's real- it's on the official Airbnb site. And they have great reviews.

Douglas194
Level 1
Wylie, TX

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32408144?guests=1&adults=1

 

Interested in this boards opinion of this listing.

Matthew689
Level 1
Vaughan, Canada

Hi, I just wanted you guys to check this link of a house I took interest in for a party. I’m not too sure I’f it’s real or not. Thank you 

 

https://abnb.me/kqmwe14EHU

Hi everyone! 

this is gonna be my first time booking by Airbnb, so I found this place

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32683129?guests=1&adults=1

1. No reviews

2. Apartment is in Madrid-Spain, but the host profiles says she is from Chile, but for the reviews that she has a guest, she has been many times in Madrid and people is happy with her

3. Communication has been great but still not sure.

 

She invited me to book through Airbnb, is it true that the host get the money as soon as I check in? that would give me some security.

 

any advice is welcome!!!! thank you!!!

Yadira22
Level 10
London, United Kingdom

Hi @Lisbeth13 

regarding payment host receives this 24 hours after check in. Meaning that if there is any concern or abnormalities on either end you can call Airbnb and they will assist you and money send out can be delayed... you should be covered! 

They are normally very helpful!

Enjoy Madrid! 🙂

Want to get any inputs on whether this listing is a scam? Please help, thanks! https://abnb.me/P6HNeCmNUU

@Tanya263 @Sarah977 

 

I know that this is an old post, but I thought someone with an overall rating of 3.70 would be delisted.

::shudder::

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Tanya263  I don't think its a scam necessarily, but I'd stay away from it. There's no listing information on the place, just photos, and it's obvious that they are not allowed to Airbnb the unit, so will ask you to lie about being an Airbnb guest. Strange listing, for sure.

Valmir12
Level 2
London, United Kingdom

I am interested to visit Nissi Pearl 3 with the Boys, however, he has 3 places, "Nissi Pearl 2" "Nissi Pearl 3" & "Nissi Pearl 4"!!!! they all but they all have the same photos but also have positive reviews! can you have a look at this just to check what your thoughts are! Link below.

 

 

 

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/26401636?location=Ayia%20Napa%2C%20Famagusta%2C%20Cyprus&adults=5&che...

 

Deciding between these 2 places in Ho Chi Minh city. Slightly paranoid about the second listing as it has no reviews and the host seems new to the platform. The first one also doesn't have any reviews, but digging into one of the hosts shows that they have other listings with authentic reviews. Curious about what you all think?

1. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/31002056

 

2. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/32976506

Karim92
Level 2
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Hello,

 

I am searching for an apartment in New York Times Square for 4 days in June 2019. I found this one that is too good to be true i think. I copied the link below, i would appreciate if you can give me your thoughts. Thanks 🙂

 

https://abnb.me/xr80C83X6U

@Karim92  It is legit on the official Airbnb site. However it's an odd listing, in that it has almost no information about the listing, and saying that the calendar isn't updated doesn't make sense. Why would they not update their calendar so guests can see what dates are available? This is a new listing, with no reviews, and I suspect the host is just clueless about how to set up a listing properly. Which seems odd in itself because this host is a propertyy manager and has 12 listings. And it's probably cheap because they are offering discounts to get new customers and reviews. But as you have to contact the host to find out if dates are available, you might find that the price that is listed goes up significantly depending on the time of year, and the number of guests, as Airbnb lists the base price.

If you are interested in this place, I'd contact the host and ask some questions and get a feel for whether you'd feel comfortable booking it.

Wilan0
Level 2
Bogotá, Colombia

@Wilan0 definitely fake: look at the address. The website is airbnb.listing-online48002.info. Clearly a scam.

Mark1452
Level 1
Irvine, United Kingdom