This is part two of the Airbnb & STR Scams – Host-side scams. I recently posted about Guest-side Scams. But of course, there are some pretty dodgy hosts out there too. So, I wanted to record all of the possible scams that guests also need to watch out for too. Not every host is reputable and has a hospitality focus. Personally, these lowlife “hosts” make my blood boil. They give all of us a bad name.
Reputation as a host is everything. You will get more and better bookings if you have a history of great reviews, great service and a trustworthy reputation.
If you are a host, use this post as a cautionary tale and don’t do these things. To be fair, some of these stories below are not real hosts but shady people pretending to be hosts. Either way, it is pretty lame.
Airbnb & STR Scams by Hosts
1. Bait and switch
Lots of listings can look great but they are only there to fool people into making a booking. Then just before check in there is some sort of “problem” – say a pipe has burst, or some other issue. But not to worry, they have another listing just around the corner that is even better. (Yeah right!)
But the “alternative” listing is bad, defective etc or other issues. So the guest stays a night there and even if they cancel they are out a ton of money. But also the time and hassle of having to change plans or move again. If the guest reports to Airbnb and the bad host is shut down pretty quickly but usually, there are multiple accounts with the same listing and they are running the same scam. Hosting “whack-a-mole”.
These are fairly short lived scams as there are checks and balances in place to protect both the OTA and the guests. But still it is worth noting when making a booking to check the reviews and do some due diligence before making a booking.
2. Charging guests for fake damages
For real damages there definitely should be a way for hosts to get compensated. But faking damages or other problems to shake down guests is pretty low down and dirty.
Hosts need to have a certain amount of buffer built into the margins to have some damage, wear & tear etc as a cost of doing business. A good host will not be nickel and dime-ing for minor infractions but using the security deposits to cover for major accidents. These do happen from time to time, you can, and should, ask for reasonable compensation. I talk about this more here.
But to fake damages is just plain wrong. Don’t be lame like this as it will not bring you good reviews or a reputation. These are essential for a sustainable hosting business.
3. Getting guests to pay off book – eg bitcoin etc.
Similar to the guest-side scam where the host is trying to get the guests to book off platform. This could be as simple as trying to get around the OTA fees. Or worse, if this “host” is listing completely fake listings and will disappear into the ether after money has changed hands privately. This is why the OTA payout, isn’t until 24 hours after a check in – it is to make sure there has been a check in and the listing does actually exist.
If an inquiry comes through an OTA, trying to get guests to move off platform and book privately is the fast track to being banned. And if you get banned, then really this is your own fault. I don’t have a huge amount of sympathy with hosts who try to skirt round the rules.
For any booking that originalted via an OTA, it is only fair that the OTA is compensated for matching you up. Pay them their dues – they have done their job. If you, as a host, want to go it alone, then do your own marketing and set up your own platform.
There is nothing wrong with taking direct bookings for yourself and by yourself. (n.b. If you want to do this, I can help you.) But if you are introduced by an OTA, then it is only right, professionally and morally, that you pay the fees.
4. Fake listing on Craigslist
This is a fairly old one. A scammer copies the listing photos, description and even contact information of a legitimate listing from one of the big OTA’s. Then puts it up on Craigslist or elsewhere to dupe unsuspecting guests into making a booking. Sadly for guests who have fallen for this, there will be no booking and they have lost their money. Often the first time the real owner finds out is when a conned guest contacts them trying to find out about checking in details.
Staying vigilant means that when you find one of these fake listings you can have them taken down. It is still annoying though as here doesn’t seem to be anything that places like Craigslist can do about this.
5. Exchanging services or outright extortion for 5 star reviews
As a host, you cannot swap things like early checkin/late check out for a 5 star review. Or offer a full quid pro quo. But hosts try this on all the time. Or worse, threaten guests that they will leave them a bad review if they don’t reciprocate.
Again, this is a big no-no when it comes to the TOS of the main OTA’s. If a host misrepresents their property or it isn’t well maintained, or there is some other issue that results in a less than stellar guest experience, the guests is well within their rights to leave a poor review.
If this is you, then take your lumps and triage your business. Trying to extort a 5 star review when you haven’t earned one is pretty lame. Again this leaves you at risk of being turfed off the platform.
A better option is to have a great communication system that gives guests an exceptional experience that warrants a 5 star review. Plus your messages can be structured with subliminal messages that encourage a 5 star review.
6. Harassment or retaliation of a legitimate bad review
When some hosts get a poor review, they take it badly and then threaten and harass guests by text or email. This is just lame – and has no place in a professional hosting business.
Again, if you have given bad service or there is some sort of issue with your listing and your guest has a bad experience and leaves you a bad review, then own the problems and fix them. Don’t blame the guest. They booked with you in good faith so make sure your listing is accurate and you are accepting your ideal guest. I talk about this in depth on this recent post.
7. Unlicensed properties
If a city ordinance or HOA has forbidden STR in an area of a building, then an unsuspecting guest might find themselves in an “illegal” rental. Airbnb is keeping up with the local rules fairly well these days but booking off platform, or on Craigslist or privately might mean you have rented one of these places. It is hard to know who to trust if you are not aware of the local laws or regulations. But as a guest, it is always good to ask if you suspect a dodgy listing. There are reports of guests being locked out or thrown out when police or angry neighbours disrupt their stay.
8. Fake AIRBNB or VRBO booking sites.
These places copy the look and feel of the major OTA’s and have similar looking URL’s but be careful as they could actually be a fake one. They need to start with Airbnb Ones I have see are like: airbnb.com-request-booking.space/booking/ or similar. If you are not super technical it is always best to start with the root airbnb.com and go from there. If you are ever in doubt, do a quick google search as lots of these have been documented already.
Final Thoughts
I am sure there are others and if you hear of anything else, please let me know and I will update this blog. Airbnb Scams by hosts are still around. My aim is to try to keep this as a public record for folks to search if they are unsure if either a guest or a host is trying to pull a swifty.
I wish some of the scammers would try to turn their talents to making money in a legitimate way. They spend so much time and effort trying to scam that if this talent was turned to good, then they could legitimately earn a good living. But alas, some people for whatever reason prefer to live by a different set of values and perhaps they even get a kick out of the act of scamming itself rather than the money. Who knows – I am not a psychologist.
Not everybody is professional and conducts themselves as a solid citizen. There will always be fraudsters and tricksters. I personally choose to live my life and work with integrity but I am still keeping my eyes open.
My final note though is to remain vigilant but don’t lose your faith in humanity. There are plenty of great hosts and guests out there. Make sure you are signalling your values as a host and attracting your ideal guest and then when you find each other, treat each other with respect.
The sharing economy brings all sorts of benefits if we can all be our best selves.
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