How do you spot a sketchy on Airbnb?

Carefully review the home information, photos, and the host's profile for any red flags. If you're renting from a company with multiple listings, check their social media profile for complaints or bad reviews. As a general rule, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.



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Spot the scam: Airbnb scammers will often use fake, stock, or doctored images to misrepresent their rental property. All too common are photos using angles and lenses to make spaces appear larger, as well as photoshopped amenities and scenic views that aren't real.

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Here are 10 ways to tell if you are being scammed on your vacation rental or Airbnb:
  1. SKETCHY PAYMENT METHOD REQUESTED. ...
  2. EMAILS AND TEXTS FROM OUTSIDE THE AIRBNB OR RENTAL PLATFORM. ...
  3. SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED BEFORE AGREEMENT SIGNED. ...
  4. OWNER OF RENTAL OR AIRBNB IS CONVENIENTLY OUT OF THE COUNTRY. ...
  5. BAD PHOTOS, ALL 5-STAR REVIEWS.


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Safety tips for choosing a place
  • Finding what's right for you.
  • Read the ratings and reviews.
  • Review the safety features.
  • Get your questions answered.
  • Always communicate and pay on Airbnb.
  • Do a safety check.
  • Research local travel alerts and warnings.
  • We're here to help.


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Fake listings: Scammers create fake listings on Airbnb to trick guests into booking and paying for a property that doesn't actually exist. They may use photos and descriptions from real listings to make the fake listings look more legitimate.

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Tips to avoid Airbnb scams
  1. Check your host's profile and look for anything odd, like requests to use payment systems outside Airbnb.
  2. Confirm you're renting a legal listing by using a reverse image search.
  3. Always remain on the Airbnb app or website when communicating with your host.


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Listings with no reviews coupled with a few red flags should make you stay away as they might be scams. Yes, there are scam listings on Airbnb and you should be wary of them. According to USA Today, a bait-and-switch happens when your host forces you to stay at a different property than the one you booked.

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Keep yourself, your payment, and your personal information safe by staying on our secure platform throughout the entire process—from communication to booking and payment. You should never be asked to wire money, provide credit card information, or otherwise pay a Host directly.

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Damage to Your Rental Property One of the biggest risks of Airbnb hosts is worrying about whether their guests will damage their property. While you can do your best to vet out potential guests and maintain house rules to reduce the chances of damage, you can't control everything.

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5 risks for Airbnb, Vrbo® and other property rental hosts
  • Property damage to your Airbnb or Vrbo. ...
  • Preventing guest injuries at your Airbnb rental. ...
  • Theft of personal belongings. ...
  • Squatters in your rental. ...
  • Loss of use can equate to loss of income.


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If the property is a new listing, the lack of reviews is normal. It will take some time before the Airbnb gets reviews. It's also likely you'll be among the first to review it should you take the leap.

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When you host or help with hosting on Airbnb, you may be asked to provide information such as your legal name, date of birth, or government ID for verification. These details are required by law as part of a process called Know Your Customer (KYC).

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Airbnb doesn't allow for hidden cameras or any other types of concealed recording devices. It does allow hosts to install security cameras in or around the property – as long as they're not in private areas like bedrooms or bathrooms, and as long as they are properly disclosed.

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Ask for a refund: If you need to request a refund because of the issue, there's a higher chance your Host will accept your request if you can agree on an amount first. Send a request to your Host for the refund in the Resolution Center and provide the details of the issue along with the photos or video.

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Although both VRBO and Airbnb take precautions to guarantee the protection of their visitors, Airbnb poses more potential dangers for guests simply because it allows visitors to remain in shared spaces.

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The flat sharing website itself doesn't have any safety tips especially aimed at women. It does, however, tell guests to look for hosts who already have a strong reputation. And to ask a lot of questions. Some hosts have verified identification and guests can ask for profile verification to be completed.

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Cleaning Regulations and Guidelines for Airbnbs Unlike a hotel room, Airbnbs are not usually cleaned daily. In many ways, it's up to you as the host to decide how cleaning tasks will get done during a guest's stay. Some hosts provide guests with cleaning products for everyday spills and messes.

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Before your Airbnb stay: ask the right questions
  • Read past Airbnb stay reviews. Read the reviews on Airbnb, usually at the bottom page of the listing. ...
  • Get in contact with the host. ...
  • Always have an Airbnb Plan B. ...
  • Scope it out. ...
  • If all is well: ...
  • If all is… not well. ...
  • Keep communication up. ...
  • Always keep your keys on you.


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1. There are more destination photos than house photos. Eliminate listings that show more stock photos of the destination than of the Airbnb property itself. That could indicate any number of issues, from the Airbnb being run down and therefore not being photogenic (or hygienic…) to the listing being fake.

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Can an Airbnb Review be Deleted? In the absence of specific details about what might have gone wrong or who might have been at fault, there is no chance of removing a negative review. Similarly, Airbnb does not allow hosts to delete unfavorable or critical reviews submitted by guests.

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What does a Superhost provide? Being an Airbnb Superhost is about providing outstanding hospitality, which means being highly-rated, experienced, reliable, and responsive. And while each Superhost has their own unique style, they've earned their status by meeting, and often exceeding, guest expectations.

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