Fraudulent copy of our listing

[Michelle-And-Michael0]

Hi everyone, 

Be warned..... Today we were made aware by a potential guest who was making a routine booking enquiry, that there was an almost identical copy of our listing, on the Airbnb site under another hosts name, which looked suspicious.

He came across it while doing a search in our area and thought it was strange as it was obviously the same photos as our listing, but much poorer quality photos.... like it was a photo taken off a computer screen. The wording description was different and they were asking 3 times the price as we do..... no reviews, obviously. 

I have reported this listing and profile to the Airbnb Safety and Protection team, and they have said they are looking into it. 

I'm really not sure what they were hoping to achieve from doing this.... and I was wondering if any of you have had similar experiences, or have any idea, if or how, it might impact our listing. Or what they could possibly have to gain from it. 

Appreciate your thoughts,

Cheers, 

Michelle 🙂

[Noel63]

It seems a bit odd. The host wouldn't get paid until the trip was complete anyway. I wonder what Airbnb makes of it

[Jarg0]

You did not understand Prepaid Fraud. The copy site will get in contact with possible guests. They write to the guests that he must send money over Western Union or must send personal ids / Bank Information &credit cards information who will be used for others scams.

[Michelle-And-Michael0]

I wonder too Noel.... I asked the question, but they only said that they will try and entice you off the Airbnb site.

I'm not sure how they could even do that, considering no contact details etc are able to be exchanged until an actual booking has been made.