Vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb have become the preferred method of travel for many looking for more space along with many of the comforts of home that a hotel room simply does not provide. With more and more people going this route, the travel experts at Travel Lens have shared some helpful tips that users can follow to avoid being scammed.
“Property rental sites such as Airbnb have grown in popularity over recent years, with many people choosing to book through these sites when planning their vacations. However, with growing popularity comes increased risk, and therefore, a willingness to spot any potential scams or fraudulent behavior that could be Crucial to keeping your personal information secure,” says Blake Walsh, travel expert at Travel Lens. “Many of these sites have internal protocols in place to ensure the safety of their users, and so by ensuring that all transactions are kept within the site’s system, you are actually less vulnerable to fraud.”
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However, here are a few things to look for the next time you’re looking to book.
external communication
Be wary of hosts pushing for outbound connection as this could be a sign of a scam. Personal emails and phone numbers take users away from the secure and trackable way of a booking site. Hosts that require guests to pay via an alternative method other than the site should also be avoided. “If the host is trying to move your correspondence away from the site, that’s a sign of fraudulent behavior,” says Walsh.
Email links
Airbnb users should also look out for fake Airbnb links that may ask for personal data with the promise of receiving the best deals or first dibs on a new booking. Experts advise guests to avoid clicking on these links and to always check the URL just in case they do.
“Again, be careful about where you share your personal information, if you receive an Airbnb request via email, it is best to access the site separately from any links in the email to ensure you are not taken to a fraudulent site that plans to phish for your data,” advises Walsh. . “Continue to handle all correspondence through the official Airbnb site and you will receive secure evidence and receipts for any transactions between you and the host.”
To good to be true
It’s always wise to stop and pause for a moment when something seems too good to be true. The same goes for Airbnb listings. If in doubt, try to reverse image the photos used in the listing and look for reviews and other evidence that the drug is real and legitimate. Users can right-click on the image and select the “Find an image using Google Lens” option to start this process.
Profile personly
Take a close look at your potential host’s profile before you book as Airbnb has begun verifying both hosts and guests. Experts point out that the number of listings in one profile can be overwhelming because it is unlikely that an individual host will have a large number of properties for rent.
reviews
Always read reviews when considering an Airbnb rental. Read about the property as well as the host and make sure to avoid people with no reviews as that can be a red flag. If this is simply because the listing is so new, read the reviews for the host and go from there using your best judgment.
“Reviews are very important on these sites because they establish the legitimacy of hosts and listings, so if you’re unsure about a property you’re considering renting, be sure to check the reviews before you book,” Walsh said.
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