As the short-term rental market continues to grow, so do the opportunities for unscrupulous guests to take advantage of hosts. Understanding common Airbnb scams can help protect your property and business from potential fraud. In this article, we’ll explore nine common Airbnb scams perpetrated by guests and provide actionable strategies to safeguard your rental business.
What Are Airbnb Scams?
While Airbnb has built-in protections for both hosts and guests, creative scammers continuously find ways to exploit the system.
According to Airbnb’s community standards report, fraud attempts affect less than 0.1% of bookings, but when they happen, they can be costly and stressful for hosts.
9 Common Airbnb Guest Scams
1. The Damage Claim Reversal
This scam begins when a guest deliberately damages your property but then preemptively files a complaint claiming the damage existed before their arrival. They might take photos of minor existing wear and tear during check-in, only to cause more significant damage later and claim it was pre-existing.
How to Avoid It:
- Document your property thoroughly before each guest’s arrival with timestamped photos
- Conduct a detailed check-in walkthrough with guests when possible
- Use a digital check-in form that requires guests to note any existing damage
- Install security cameras in common areas (with proper disclosure)
2. The Bait and Switch Booking
In this scenario, a guest books your property for a stated number of people but arrives with additional unauthorized guests. This allows them to circumvent extra guest fees and potentially host more people than your space can comfortably accommodate.
How to Avoid It:
- Clearly state your maximum occupancy and additional guest fees in your listing
- Use doorbell cameras or other monitoring systems to verify guest count
- Include language in your house rules about unauthorized guests and associated penalties
- Consider using noise monitoring devices that can alert you to potential parties
3. The Fake Emergency Discount
Some guests book normally but then create a fictional emergency shortly before check-in, requesting a significant discount. They may claim lost jobs, family emergencies, or travel complications, hoping to appeal to your sympathy for a reduced rate—often after it’s too late for you to rebook the dates.
How to Avoid It:
- Establish a clear cancellation and discount policy in writing
- Stick to your policies consistently
- Offer to cancel their reservation instead so they can find more affordable accommodations
- Request documentation if you’re inclined to make exceptions
4. The Chargeback Scam
After staying at your property, some guests dispute the charge with their credit card company, claiming they never received the service or were dissatisfied. This forces you to prove the stay occurred and was satisfactory.
How to Avoid It:
- Keep all communication within the Airbnb platform
- Document check-in and check-out with photos or video
- Request guests to sign a rental agreement
- Follow up with a post-stay message thanking them for their visit
5. The Long-Term Squatter
This particularly troubling scam involves guests who book for an extended period (often 30+ days) to gain tenancy rights in certain jurisdictions. Once established, they stop paying but refuse to leave, requiring a formal eviction process.
How to Avoid It:
- Familiarize yourself with local tenancy laws
- Consider requiring identity verification for long-term bookings
- Break long stays into separate bookings under 30 days where legally permissible
- Consult with a local attorney to create protective rental agreements
6. The Amenity Complaint Discount
Some guests will book your property, stay the entire duration, and then complain about minor issues or claim certain amenities weren’t as advertised. They use these complaints to demand partial refunds after enjoying the full stay.
How to Avoid It:
- Ensure your listing accurately represents your property without exaggeration
- Address any reported issues promptly during the stay
- Encourage guests to communicate problems immediately rather than after checkout
- Document all amenities with photos and videos that guests can review before booking
7. The Overpayment Refund Scam
In this sophisticated scheme, guests claim they accidentally overpaid or booked twice and request a refund outside the Airbnb platform. If you comply, you’ll discover later that they manipulated the original payment, leaving you with a loss.
How to Avoid It:
- Never process refunds outside the Airbnb platform
- Direct all payment issues to Airbnb customer service
- Be suspicious of any request to send money back to guests
- Verify all payment claims through your Airbnb dashboard
8. The Fake Profile Booking
Scammers create falsified profiles with stolen identities or fabricated information to book properties with the intention of hosting parties, conducting illegal activities, or otherwise violating house rules without consequences to their real identity.
How to Avoid It:
- Look for verified profiles with positive reviews
- Be cautious of new accounts with no history
- Consider requesting additional verification for certain bookings
- Trust your instincts if communication seems suspicious
9. The Property Scouting Scam
Some “guests” book properties with the sole intention of gathering information about security systems, valuables, and entry points for future break-ins or to assess whether the property would be suitable for longer-term scams.
How to Avoid It:
- Limit the information you share about security features
- Don’t display valuable items in listing photos
- Consider using smart locks that change codes between guests
- Maintain a security system that’s not easily disabled
How PriceLabs Can Help Protect Your Rental Business
While focusing on revenue optimization, PriceLabs also helps hosts identify potential scam risks through data analytics.
PriceLabs Market Dashboard provides insights into average stay durations and booking patterns in your area, helping you spot unusual booking requests that might indicate scam attempts. PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing can help you maintain appropriate pricing that attracts legitimate guests while setting minimum stay requirements that might deter certain scam scenarios.