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.

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803 Replies 803

@Mike2604As a guest you pay over the website. Airbnb do not send an invite to you so this is likely to be a scam.

sorry here Is the invoice 

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@Mike2604  As we said, it's a scam. You don't send money to book a place. You are dealing with cybercriminals. They don't have a place to rent, their photos are stolen from real estate sites or other legitimate listings, and you would never see your money again. The scammers will stop communicating as soon as you send money, you won't have any place to stay, and their ad and email address will dissappear.

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/594613480208818818?check_in=2022-07-19&check_out=2022-07-25&guests=1&...

 

Hi,

 

I am new to Air bnb.  What do you think about this listing.  There are no reviews but the host seems to have done a lot of bookings.'

 

Thanks so much


Tracy

@Syeda-Nisma0 SCAM SCAM SCAM. Don't go near this one.

yes the wesbite is starting with alrbnb which is fake

thanks for guiding 

Hi there can u please have a look to see if its legit? thanks  

 

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/629704562714592415?adults=4&location=Positano%20Spiaggia%2C%20Italy&...

@Daniel550 The expert on this, @Sarah977 ,has sadly been banned from the community. Anyway the link doesn't work so I guess there is something wrong with the listing.

Sorry is this a scam?

 

https://abnb.me/03NYCcSY9pb

 

abnb.me/PJAjEdrzvqb

 

 

Sometimes when I am not sure I use verification tools to check if the listing is real https://airbnbase.com/scam-checker/

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@Cynthia-and-Chris1 

 

https://abnb.me/e/GxxHIRKBDrb

 

That is the link to the cabin I booked for my friends and I. I just want to make sure it is legit. 

 

 

Hello @Cynthia-and-Chris1,

 

I have booked the next listing in Prague, but it seems to good to be true. No reviews yet, the host just joined Airbnb this month.

Can you check it and come back with what you think about it, please?

 

https://abnb.me/uOW6u1ZDAsb

Thanks,

 

Flore