Airbnb Scams

Heard a few cases of scams on this where you pay for a fictional place or imitating a genuine place and you end up losing your money. I myself have already paid up front 344 euro for a house in Bordeaux for 2 nights. On my credit card bill it does say 'Airbnb' for the amount but still wonder if everything is above board. One reason being that I was sent a request to Jeannie who owned the house and described us as football supporters there for the Euro. I thought it best to be honest but she accepted the request to stay within an hour without issue (too quick?). Just wondering in retrospect was this too good to be true type of thing. Probably being overly paranoid but googled some stories there about the airbanb scams and it's hard to know.

Does she have any reviews?

Used it a few times, Trap and I'm sure Airbnb hold the payment in escrow until first night of stay has passed (nice extra earner sitting on that cash I'm sure...). Check the T&Cs.

So I don't see how such a scam would work if the renter lets Airbnb know of a problem, the owner doesn't get paid and you get your money back...I'd be more worried about an owner changing their mind than being ripped off. You might want to change the topic title there, a bit unfair for Airbnb's rep ...

Mine went through similar time & showed up on CC Air BnB with payment taken for 2 nights in Bordeaux . You must be staying in some pad for that cash as mine wasn't near as much & it is quality . You must have alot of friends going with you 

Used it for the first time going to Liverpool last month, told them it was 2 lads over for a soccer match and it was accepted in a matter of minutes. Absolutely no problems, they had loads of reviews before I booked.

Also booked a night in Bordeaux for the night before the match and 2 nights in Lille for the night before and night of the match, both booked in places that have 40+ good reviews. Took 3 efforts at 3 different places to get a place in Lille as I was saying we were over for the soccer but got Bordeaux first time round.

Should be no problems if there are plenty good reviews.

Jaysus that's not a great system is it!  I hope Jeannie isn't a cute hoor. Could be left stranded with nowhere to stay if they pull a trick like that.

Hickster74 wrote: Ask Airbnb in case its updated - they'll have to bring in a penalty for that or their business would be undermined. But for peace of mind, it might be an idea to book a place with free cancellation as insurance (a bit out of town probably all that's left with free cancellation at this stage but just as back up). Then get in touch with the Airbnb owner around Easter and again the week before the game to make sure the deal's still on and you can then cancel the out of town place.

Probably a good idea alright

I've just contacted Janinne and offered her 600e for 3 nights. Expect an email Lord Trap
Fine place btw,thanks for doing the spade work 👍

SuperDave84 wrote: Actually airbnb policies stop people cancelling like that and re-letting. It's easily enough got around if you advertise the same place on a different account, admittedly, although that takes a crafty owner, and also one who doesn't mind having half the number of reviews they should have. Plus, if the owner cancels, a note appears on their account advising people of the same.

Great, we should be ok so, especially booking places that have 40+ reviews with no automated cancellation messages as part of them.