6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
Booking a rental property for your next vacation? There’s a scam for that!
Seriously, vacation rental scams are everywhere. Last year alone, Airbnb banned 59,000 fake listings — and stopped 157,000 listings from making it to the site in the first place.
Too bad they didn’t catch the guy who scammed people out of $7 million over two years. He listed 100 properties across the U.S. and accepted 10,000 offers. His bait-and-switch schemes worked … till he got caught.
Being familiar with the red flags can save you from being a victim. And that’s why I’m here today — to give you the know-how.
1. Suspicious photos
Does the picture of that beachfront property look like it’s straight out of a pricey photoshoot? Well, it might be. Images that are just a little too polished should raise your eyebrows. Try a reverse image search to see if it pops up elsewhere online. How? Open a pic, right-click on it, then choose Search Image or similar in your browser.
2. That doesn’t add up
Some hosts list a property at different price points on multiple platforms. The highest bidder wins, so your stay could get canceled if they find a person to pay more. This could also be what’s known as a “phantom rental.” In this scheme, crooks cook up a completely fake listing using a bogus address and photos and run away with your money.
3. Under pressure
This is a classic scam tactic: Pressure victims to do something right now. When you’re rushed into making a decision, you’re more likely to overlook serious flaws in the listing. A legitimate host won’t rush you into sealing the deal.
4. ‘Can you send me a gift card?’
You should always pay through the rental site. They’re secure and typical payment methods include debit, credit and sometimes a direct bank transfer. Never pay using a cash app, via crypto or using a certified check.
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