Airbnb warns Brits against travel scams with four helpful tips

The global home rental company has commissioned new research to assess the impact of the cost of living Crisis in our vacation and fraud by scammers.

With January being the most popular month for us to book our breaks, Britons across the country are likely to be on the hunt for a bargain.

Despite the current strain on our finances, Airbnb data shows that 35% of us would still prioritize vacation when it comes to our extra spending.

Airbnb examined the impact the cost of living crisis has had on vacation and fraud (PA) (Image: PA)

In fact, one in six of us would consider booking trips using unsafe methods to save some money.

6% of adults are willing to book spontaneously as soon as they see the price if it means paying less, and 15% would pay for the break via bank transfer – where their money is not protected – to save a penny or two .

Getting caught by travel scammers is also not uncommon, as Airbnb found out.

71% of people admitted they or someone they know had been the victim of a scam or scam, with research suggesting holiday scam victims lose an average of £1,397 each.

The over-55s lost the most to cheating on average (£3,176), with those aged 18-34 losing an average of £1,330.

78% of Airbnb study respondents agree there are more scams than ever.

Meanwhile, 70% of respondents agreed that cheating is becoming more persuasive.

Airbnb shared four safety tips to avoid scammers on the platform

If you book a stay on Airbnb in the near future, arm yourself with these four practical tips to avoid being scammed:

• Stay on Airbnb to book, pay and communicate – Stays should only ever be booked and paid for on the platform to benefit from Airbnb’s secure processes, refund and support policies. If someone asks you to leave the platform, you should report it to Airbnb.
• Check out the reviews of other guests – You can see what other guests have said, read host profiles and listings, and use Airbnb’s messaging tool to contact the host to ask questions before booking.
• Check the site link – Before paying online or providing any confidential information, please use the Airbnb app or go directly to the website (www.airbnb.co.uk).
• Report problems immediately – Airbnb’s community support team is available 24/7 and if you think you have been scammed contact your bank as they may be able to get your money back.

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for UK and Northern Europe, Airbnb: “This year many of us may be looking to save a few pennies when booking a holiday, making it an ideal time for scammers to take advantage of those who are looking after something good are hand out.

“Booking, communicating and paying on Airbnb helps protect you from fraud, and our longstanding partnership with Get Safe Online helps travelers stay alert while planning a well-deserved trip.”

If you’re booking on another site, Airbnb’s partner Get Safe Online also shared some top tips to consider when booking your vacation.

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Get Safe Online’s guide to booking your holiday

Here are three top tips to know when booking your vacation this year so you don’t get caught:

• Never click on links you are not expecting – Learn how to recognize fake emails, websites, texts and social media posts as fake links can lead you to a fake website designed to look like websites you are familiar with.
• Be wary of unusually cheap offers or high deposits – If a deal or offer seems too good to be true, it could be a scam and it’s best to stop all communication immediately.
• If possible, pay by credit card and avoid bank transfers – Paying by credit card often offers better protection and a higher chance of getting your money back.

Tony Neate, CEO, Get Safe Online: “As the cost of living rises we want to help protect everyone’s hard earned money and urge people to remain vigilant when booking a holiday.

“Trust your instincts and remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.”