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

Thank you very much for your help and kind reply 

Tara244
Level 2
Honolulu, HI

Hi I am finding the same home with different owners listing it on air bnb 

is it real

 

https://abnb.me/oNxf57i2HT

Hi all,

 

I would like to kindly ask for your advice on checking the eligibility of the listing below: https://airbnb.long-term-listing.com/1/listing/56/view-rn5f20oe/3Hti1DY7yA . I have already booked the appartment and paid for a security deposit and a month's rental. The payment has not been processed yet according to https://airbnb.long-term-listing.com/1/invoice/56/show-aguhq5dk/3Hti1DY7yA . I am waiting for a phone call on behalf of an agent who can show me the apartment prior to checking in. The owner of the place lives abroad. Does this look like a legit airbnb listing? Thanks in advance. Regards.

 

 

@Konstantinos63 No, this is not a legitimate listing, it is a scam. That is not an official Airbnb URL. Airbnb does not have agents which show apartments or give you keys. I am afraid you will never see your money again and no such rental apartment exists. If you paid with a credit card, talk to your credit card company immediately to stop payment.

Hello Sarah,

 
Thank you for the prompt reply.
 
I paid via wire transfer. I have just submitted a wire transfer cancellation request via my bank.
 
Do you think i will be lucky enough to get my money back in this case? Thanks once again.

@Konstantinos63 I'm sorry, I really have no idea, but I wish you all the luck to get the money back. Guest payments are not made for Airbnb listings by wire transfer. It would have been good if you had gone to the official Airbnb site before dealing with this criminal to find out how Airbnb works. It's too late now, and it's awful that there are scammers out there stealing money from trusting people.

Maybe your bank can notify the proper authorities as to the account this wire transfer was sent to.

https://abnb.me/ZBPHiOHaOT

 

 

Can you please check to see if this is real ?

Andreea50
Level 1
Chisinau, Moldova

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19006804?location=Lignano%20Sabbiadoro%2C%20UD&adults=6&guests=6&s=ang6... What about this? does this look like a scam? Can you help me? Thank you.

Danny237
Level 1
Mineola, NY

Real or fake lisiting? Only two reviews and wanted to book reservation date earlier than the expected March 2018 trip dates. Help 

 

Schau dir diese Unterkunft auf Airbnb an: Lux but Cozy!!!Entire APT next to Central Park - Ganze Wohnung, Platz für 8.

 

https://abnb.me/2TxtqwTmNT

Paige100
Level 1
Greenville, SC

Can you tell me if this post is legitimate? 

 

https://abnb.me/RFieLz4FnU

 

Kylee-and-Clayton0
Level 2
Queensland, Australia

Hello. 

I booked this new listing via airbnb app and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on it. https://abnb.me/DTzIoNTyxU

Thanks 

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Kylee-and-Clayton0  Yes, that looks fine. As long as you look for places on the official Airbnb app or the official desktop website, they would be legitimate listings. It's the ones that people find on Craigslist, Gumtree, and other sites, directing them to a website that is made to look like the Airbnb site, but in fact has a slightly different URL (these scammers are quite adept), plus asking people to email them and sending them back these lengthy emails claiming that they're out of the country, that an an airbnb "agent" will meet them and give them keys and show them the place, that are bogus.

And even it's it's a legit listing on Airbnb proper, stay away from any listing where the host tells you to just tell the doorman or the neighbors that you're "friends" of the host, as that would mean that the host is a tenant subletting without the owners permission, or violating the rules of their HOA.

I see that this is a new host with this listing and no reviews yet, so you might just want to message him first, rather than Instant Book, to get a feel for the host and ask any questions you might have. Nothing wrong with booking with a brand new host, though, we all had to start somewhere.

His first language is obviously not English- I love the "Stunnishing", it's actually a cool new word he came up with (altho I imagine he actually thought it was a word).

Ashley554
Level 2
Edmonton, Canada

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32494146?adults=3&check_in=2019-04-07&check_out=2019-06-01&guests=1

 

Hi Airbnb, was wondering if you could weigh in on your thoughts on this listing.

I know this is a new listing which would account for the no reviews, but would it account for the price to be lower than other similar listings in the area?

Also, I saw the same listing on craiglist but did not have contact or communication with the host. 

Edited to add: I’ve sent them a message and I got a response. I want to book ASAP, just a little wary. Please tell me it looks real! Lol