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

805 Replies 805

Thoughts on this listing being too good to be true?

 

**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

Could someone please look over this listing? It has no reviews and was just listed a month ago. I did do a reverse image search on a few photos with no results.

 

**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

Can you please tell me if this looks like a scam or not?**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

can you check this house out and see if it is a possible scam 

 

****[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

Bhumika
Community Manager
Community Manager
Toronto, Canada

Hi @Harry538 ! Thank you so much sharing your concerns here in this thread. I had to remove the link to a Host's profile/listing as we do not allow our Community members to post identifiable information due to safety and privacy reasons as per our Community Center Guidelines.

 

However, on the top of this thread, Host Cynthia has shared some useful tips to identify if a listing is authentic. Did you get a chance to have a look at those suggestions? 

I had a quick look at the listing and seems like its from a new Host. May be it would be a good idea to send an inquiry message to the Host to get more details? Please keep us posted on how you proceed with it!

Bhumika_0-1712347968432.png

 



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Please follow the Community Guidelines

Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Great tips @Cynthia-and-Chris1 🙂


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Hello @Lizzie  Lizzie! I've used Airbnb many times and all has always been okay -- but I'm about to book something for a long-term stay (6 months). I need to make sure the listing isn't too good to be true and there are no reviews yet. Is there an email address to send the link to, or would I put it here in public? Thank you!

go visit the place first and make sure it's real. I know someone that paid three months' rent upfront, and shipped their car only to find out someone had lifted photos of a real estate ad. The fake landlord sent a picture of a fake license even..

 

Is this a scam or just a good deal? No reviews yet.

 

**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

Matthew1856
Level 2
Chester, United Kingdom

Hi Lizzie, my friend has just booked this listing which seems too good to be true. Could someone give me an honest opinion?

 

**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

 

Thanks

Matt

I have also seen it listed for sale: **[Identifiable information removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]