Scam?

[Tayla54]

Hi I’m looking at a place in Southbank Melbourne. For me it seems to be to good to be true as she’s saying I can check in days early for no extra cost (as it’s a rental place normally?) 

can someone check the link for me 

** [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]

[Joelle43]

Hello @Tayla54 

The link will get taken down but in the meantime I had a look at this listing.  The host says this under her profile: 

I am now on a mission to become a super host and I will probably lose the plot if not achieved in the next 12 months : 

That doesn't sound very professional to me personally and this host has many, many listings that they manage.  You are able to access the reviews received for the other listings that they manage under the host profile and there is one that dates back to October 2025 that would concern me.  The guest was unable to access the apartment booked and they had to find somewhere else last minute which resulted in a 1* review.

What is also strange is that the only available dates showing on the calendar for this new listing that you are interested in, is for a stay starting tomorrow until Saturday - all other dates are blocked for the forseeable future!  Odd?

I am not saying that this is a scam but if I were searching, I would pass on this one and choose a listing that is "Guest Favorite" (recent good reviews) and/or the host is a Superhost.

Let us know what you decide Tayla!

Joëlle  

[Alex]

Hi @Tayla54! 

Thank you for checking with the Community to see if the listing looks trustworthy. I’d like to let you know that, as per Community Guidelines, members aren’t allowed to share listing links unless they own the listing. I hope that’s okay with you!

Did you check @Joelle43’s answer? She’s sharing her point of view, and I’m sure it will help you get more information about the listing.

Best,

Alex

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Tayla54 It does sound a bid dodgy. IS everything else normal? For instance does payment go via Airbnb? If so it's hard to see what the host would gain by scamming you as they don't get paid until after you check in.