Even if you’ve never run into a fake rental or hotel listing, you probably know a traveler who has.
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On one hand, it’s easier than ever to shop around for rentals and hotels by ourselves. We can look directly on booking sites or compare options using third-party platforms. On the other hand, even when those platforms go above and beyond to keep scammers away, they can still slip through the cracks.
And even if you consider yourself a savvy traveler with a keen eye, you could still fall for a fake listing. If you’re looking to book a place at the last minute, you might feel a sense of urgency that blinds you to little red flags, for example. Other times, scammers are just good at their jobs, hiding the tell-tale signs of a fake-out.
I have bad news: The proliferation of AI isn’t going to help.
I’ve noticed a huge uptick in the number of AI-edited photos on Airbnb. In most cases, these enhancements are purely visual, designed to zhuzh things up a bit and encourage you to book the place. In other words, they aren’t tricking you—they’re showing how the rental looks accurately, just with a little extra glow.
But scammers can use the same AI tools to roll out fake listings that appear normal. Worse, they can also generate fake reviews that make their listing look even more legit, and create fake profiles that make them appear like an experienced, multi-year host. Airbnb knows it’s a problem, too, but doesn’t appear any closer to resolving the complex issue.
In short, it’s a great time for a refresher on how to spot a fake rental listing—and even a fake hotel, as the same ideas apply.
5 signs of a fake rental listing
The price is much lower than similar listings
If you see two rentals in the same neighborhood with a similar number of features and amenities (such as having a full kitchen, the same number of bedrooms, and a parking space, for example), and there’s a big price difference, think twice. Fake hosts will lure in travelers with a low price, making them think they’ve found a steal. In reality, the listing is fake, and renters won’t be able to check in upon arrival.
Reviews are short, generic, and five-star only
If you think you’re looking at a fake Airbnb listing, one of the first things you should do is look into the reviews and the host. (I’ll dig into host details below.) The higher the number of reviews, the more vetted the rental is. But what if there are only a few reviews? How do you know if they can be trusted?
Here’s my advice. First, real reviews tend to be longer and more wordy. There are grammatical errors and idiosyncrasies, like a reviewer stating that they wish the kettle heated up water faster. Small details are a good sign. Second, I look for four-star reviews. There should be a few peppered in, even if the overall rating average stays at five.
You can also look at reviewer profiles. If you see ten five-star reviews from users who don’t have profile pictures and have only been on the platform for a few months, think again.
Descriptions are short, generic, and don’t come with any rules/warnings
As with user reviews, home descriptions shouldn’t be too polished. If the host is an individual who manages one or two properties, you might see some typos and meandering sentences. What you should definitely see is some type of disclaimer or rules. For example, most descriptions include things like mandatory quiet hours, whether it’s safe for children, and so on.
If you don’t see any details that give you a warning of what the Airbnb isn’t, think twice. Honest hosts want to repel the wrong guests, since they know they’re likely to be unhappy with the stay. For example, you might see a rustic cabin remind users that internet is slow and it isn’t meant to be a luxury stay. That’s a positive sign.
Short, generic descriptions (especially those with a lot of emojis) should be taken with a grain of salt. You can always reach out to the host to ask more questions if something feels off.
The host tries to communicate outside of Airbnb—and pressures you
Speaking of communicating with a host, don’t respond to any messages that you receive outside the platform. Whether they want to discuss your booking, ask for an additional payment, or request that you stay at a sister property, ignore the message and report it to Airbnb. Responsible, safe hosts know better—and also avoid out-of-Airbnb messaging because it puts them at risk, too.
One big thing to look for is pressure. If a host puts pressure on you to reserve a booking, walk away. If you’ve reserved the rental on Airbnb, Vrbo, or the official platform, you’ve done everything you need to do to ensure you have a valid booking.
Google Street View doesn’t match up with the listing images
Many hosts keep their address secret until your booking is coming up. Again, that’s about safety, and it’s not uncommon or suspicious for hosts to do so. However, you can and should ask for clarifying information about the rental’s location so that you can look it up on Google Street View. You don’t need the exact address—you should be able to pick out the rental using exterior images from the listing. If you see a big mismatch, don’t make the booking.
4 less obvious signs you might be looking at a fake rental
The photos have been touched up with AI
As mentioned up top, many rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo are now using AI touch-ups to make their listing pictures look professional. That’s not a sure-fire sign of a fake listing. Even restaurants have started to use AI to zhuzh up their images. That being said, I recommend avoiding rentals that heavily rely on AI photo touch-ups. If you’re interested despite the use of AI, dig deep into reviews to ensure it’s a real listing and not a scam.
Descriptions are also AI-generated
I like to think we can pick out AI-generated text when we see it, but that might just be my writer’s eyes working overtime. If you notice that a rental description is very generic, uses a lot of emojis, and otherwise reads like a ChatGPT or Claude script, you might be dealing with a host who isn’t eloquent and simply wanted to get a semi-pro-sounding description. It might also be a sign that the listing is fake.
The host is slow to respond
Hosts can make a good living off Airbnb. Whether they’re individuals with a spare property to rent or overseen by management companies, your messages should be answered in a timely manner. Real hosts go above and beyond to set the stage for a good rental, letting you know what is and isn’t feasible before you finalize your booking. A slow response from a host might mean that they’re not invested in actually engaging with users and are instead waiting for their next easy target.
The host has two identical listings
This sign can go either way. On one hand, hosts might own multiple units on a shared property and use identical photos for multiple listings because they have the same layout and décor. Many jurisdictions allow these types of business hosts to operate, making it safe for travelers.
On the other hand, scammers might post multiple listings for the same unit. They have various price points. If multiple rentals under different price points are all reserved, the host will cancel the duplicate listings that are cheaper, ensuring they earn more. If you see two identical listings for an Airbnb rental that interests you, message the host directly to ask about the differences between them.