Airbnb scams are getting more sophisticated – here is how not to fall victim

WITH every miraculous innovation that is welcomed into the sharing economy, there come risks attached – and in the world of Airbnb, scams are rife.

The ways around not getting scammed may seem plainly obvious to those who consider themselves tech-savvy, but an unfortunate few are taken in by such methods. And, as scams become more sophisticated, the chances of finding yourself without accommodation – and with an empty bank account – increase.

Here are a few tips to make sure you can travel with the peace of mind that you will have a place to rest upon your arrival.

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A post shared by UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE & HOMES (@timeouthomes) on Dec 4, 2017 at 8:45am PST

Reviews are there for a reason – read them

If there are reviews, give them a thorough read. You might instantly realize the host and listing might not be as they seem. However, more sophisticatedly, the dodgy host may have written the reviews themselves. You can detect this through writing style and repetitive use of certain words.

If the reviews seem legitimate, but you are still not sure, see if there are any numbers to call and look for your host on social media.

This is the quickest way to make us blush. #bestreviewever But seriously, the privilege is entirely ours to #host #amazingguests such as Manny and his family and crew. We’d love to have them again. It’s guests like this that allows us to do the #vacationrental thing on #Airbnb. Please come back anytime! #palmsprings #airbnblove #palmspringshouse #bestreview

A post shared by PalmSpringsHouse.com (@palmspringshouse) on Nov 22, 2017 at 5:31pm PST

Always go through Airbnb

Once you have established the listing is legitimate and the host is who they appear to be, be sure to keep all your communication on Airbnb. This creates a log of correspondence so any disputes can be resolved quickly and fairly.

If the host asks you to communicate or make a payment outside of the online booking platform, decline and report it.

Do not click on external links or send emails

Email scamming is the original Internet fraud, and it has only got more sophisticated since it was created.

Receiving emails from addresses such as joe@airbnb.com or liz@airbnb.booking.com will most probably be fake and contain external links that could be harmful to your computer and bank account.

You can check if an email address is legitimate by looking on Airbnb’s official website.

Serenity isn’t normally associated with District 1, but this apartment in the city’s bustling center pulls it off. Every room strikes a balance between chic and soothing, but the kitchen’s big windows and vined ceiling make it the best place to chill. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo: @simonsnopek

A post shared by Airbnb (@airbnb) on Dec 3, 2017 at 10:19am PST

Strong passwords

It may be an Internet safety tip that is as old as the net itself, but it is crucial. If someone hacks into your account and books a luxury stay in a Balinese villa, you are going to be pretty disappointed and it could be a lengthy and complicated process to get your money back.

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Source: travelwireasia.com