The Bait-and-Switch Scam 

The bait-and-switch scam used to be quite commonplace on Airbnb until the online vacation rental giant decided to tighten its verification process. The bait-and-switch scam is fairly straightforward as it doesn't involve an elaborate plan.

The victim gets duped by paying for accommodation and services that he or she never gets to benefit from. In return, the scam artist offers a subpar alternative or no alternative at all, without the possibility for a refund. It was the case with a young lady who booked a too-good-too-be-true apartment in Chicago for $1,200 last year. But the Airbnb host told her that the place was flooded about five minutes before checking in.

She accepted to book another place owned by the same people but was kicked out of that place after just a couple of days with no refund (at the time, requests for refunds could only be done before checking in). Airbnb refused to give her a refund too until the whole thing morphed into a PR nightmare after the disgruntled customer unveiled her whole ordeal to the press.

A less risky but equally frustrating version of the bait-and-switch scam happens when the host cancels your reservation with no explanation because a higher bidder is insight. Airbnb will give you a full refund, but the business practice can result in a ruined vacation if the host cancels at the last minute.

The Money Transfer Scam

If you're having a conversation with the host via direct message and he or she asks you for a money transfer outside the Airbnb ecosystem, avoid it like the plague. Transferring your hard-earned cash to a dubious bank account having only some stranger's word as a guarantee that you'll get the service you paid for in return is a sure recipe for failure.

Airbnb will not be able to give you a refund, and the scammer might get away with it especially if he or she lives overseas. Never fall for this trick even if the host offers you a considerably better rate if you do it.

The False Listing Scam

Many Airbnb users report booking a nice room or apartment just to end up in a place that looked nothing like the listing on the Airbnb platform. If a place is too beautiful or too cheap to be true, it probably is. Before booking a rental through Airbnb make sure that the pictures posted on the site are up-to-date and genuine.

If you have to, ask for more photos from your potential host to ensure that you are getting what you are paying for. Some Airbnb scammers use stock photos to make their listings more appealing. So, do a quick Google search by right-clicking on the image and pick "Search Google for image". Some browsers may need you to install an extension to get access to this function.

The Fake Damages Scam 

Some con artists lurking on Airbnb try to squeeze some extra cash from you by accusing you that you left the property a mess. They may even report you to AirBnb for destroying something at their place and not paying them compensation.

Other property owners may lie about the condition of the rental if you accidentally injure yourself in their home with no fault of your own just to avoid covering your medical bills and an expensive lawsuit. The best way to avoid this scam is to take time-stamped pictures of the place before and after your departure.

If you were severely injured in an Airbnb rental and it's the host's fault but he or she stubbornly denies liability, you can call Bader Scott personal injury lawyers to ask them to have a talk with the host. Our team of experienced attorneys will know how to negotiate a fair settlement with your ex-host or Airbnb reps or take the issue to trial if everything else fails to get you the compensation you deserve.