Airbnb scams: how to spot a fake host or payment request
Quick answer
If a host, or someone claiming to be Airbnb, asks you to pay outside the Airbnb platform, treat it as a scam. Airbnb says the cost of your reservation is collected on Airbnb, with few exceptions. Keep messaging and paying inside Airbnb and report the message.
- Pretends to be
- Airbnb
- Last updated
How it works
Airbnb's help center describes the pattern. A host or a message that claims to come from Airbnb asks for a payment outside the platform without warning, or asks you to book through a third-party service. Airbnb says signs of fraud include wire or bank transfer requests, cashier's checks, money orders, and PDF or paper invoices.
That's the whole trick. Once you pay outside Airbnb you lose the platform's protections, and a fake listing can't be told apart from a real one by the money alone. Airbnb also says reservations made through a third-party service violate its Terms of Service, so it may cancel the reservation and deactivate the accounts involved.
There are legitimate exceptions. Airbnb says some hosts can collect certain fees and taxes directly, and hotels can ask for a card at check-in, but these must be disclosed in the listing or the price breakdown at checkout.
Red flags
- A host asks you to pay or book outside Airbnb
- A wire transfer, cashier's check or money order request
- A PDF or paper invoice instead of a request through the app
- An email claiming to be Airbnb that asks for a payment you didn't expect
- A fee that wasn't in the price breakdown at checkout
- Urgent language threatening to cancel your booking
Example message
Hi, to hold your dates I need the full payment today. Airbnb's fee is too high, so please send it by bank transfer instead and I'll confirm your booking. I've attached an invoice: [link].
What to do
- 1
Keep everything on Airbnb
Airbnb says paying and messaging through the platform keeps its host and guest protections in place. If asked to move elsewhere, say no.
- 2
Check the fee is listed
Airbnb says mandatory charges must appear in the listing's price breakdown at checkout, and any local taxes collected in person must be in the listing description or house rules.
- 3
Report the message in the app
Open Messages, pick the conversation, tap the three dots on the message, choose Report this message and follow the prompts. Airbnb says you can usually block the sender too.
- 4
If you already paid outside Airbnb
Contact your bank or card issuer straight away and tell Airbnb. A bank transfer is hard to reverse, so move fast.
- 5
If you entered your details on a fake page
Change your Airbnb password and any you reuse, and watch your accounts. See what to do after a data breach for next steps.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers who reach you on or off Airbnb often already know your name, email and travel dates. Contact details like these come from people-search listings and breaches, which is what makes a fake booking message look personal. Serus finds the people-search and data broker listings that show your phone number and address and removes them, and alerts you when your details turn up in a breach, so fewer scammers can build a believable story about you.
Frequently asked
Can a real host ask me to pay some fees outside Airbnb?
Airbnb says some authorized hosts can collect certain fees and taxes directly, but they must be disclosed in the price breakdown, listing description or house rules. Optional extras should be paid through the Resolution Center.
Is Airbnb itself a scam?
No. Scammers pretend to be Airbnb or its hosts. Airbnb's own help center tells guests to book, message and pay only on the platform.
What payment requests does Airbnb say signal fraud?
Wire or bank transfers, cashier's checks, money orders, and PDF or paper invoices.
What happens if I booked through a third-party site?
Airbnb says it may cancel such a reservation and deactivate the accounts of the person who made it and the guest.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
