Tips For Spotting Fake Photos On An Airbnb Listing

Imagine showing up to your dream destination only to discover that the Airbnb you booked doesn't look at all like the photos. Or, worse, knocking on the door of your rental, only to be greeted by a very confused homeowner who tells you your accommodation doesn't actually exist. Ouch! While rare, these scams can fool unsuspecting first-timers and seasoned travelers alike, foiling your vacation plans and wasting your hard-earned cash in the process.

Fortunately, you don't have to vet each Airbnb property on your own. In response to issues on the platform — like the recent arrest of two men who scammed their way to $8.5 million from 10,000 listings — Airbnb said they are amping up their security measures. Starting in February 2024, the company will roll out verified badges for all listings in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, and Australia. By the fall, Airbnb plans to incorporate this initiative in 30 countries.

So far, they've scrapped 59,000 fake listings and prevented another 157,000 from joining the platform. The company uses AI to scan new listings against one million existing listings, looking for discrepancies, like duplicate photos, the host's reputation, and messaging templates, among 100-plus risk factors. If a listing gets flagged, it's paused for further review before it can go live. However, even with Airbnb doing its part, there are still a few steps travelers can take — and it all starts with examining the photos.

Is that balcony view a little too perfect? Is that yard a little too manicured? One common tactic tricksters use is to steal images from other people's listings or upload images from stock sites. Luckily, there's a nifty way to find out if the photos have been used elsewhere, including the host's profile photo. All you have to do is reverse-search the images to determine their origin.

To start, head to Google Images. On the right side of the search bar, you'll see a camera figure between the microphone and the search icon. When you click the icon, you can copy and paste the Airbnb link or upload an image saved to your device. If the photo has been used elsewhere, the results will populate on the right. You can then click on the "find image source" button, which should be found on the top left, for a complete list of other uses. TinEye is another alternative for image searches. With a little digging, you might be able to find the real Airbnb or VRBO listing or the stock site where the photo originated from. If you see multiple Airbnb listings with the same images, steer clear, as one of them could be a scam.

Even if the photos seem passable, the description might leave clues that it's actually a fake listing or the host is embellishing the truth a little bit. In other words, think like a detective and look for congruence between what the pictures show and what the listed amenities are. While a host can't post images of absolutely everything, it's fair to assume the main selling points will be included in the gallery.

For example, let's say the description says there's an infinity pool. You'll want to look for proof in the backyard snapshots. If all you see is a hot tub, that could be a red flag that it's a fake. The same goes for other amenities. When the listing says there's a full-size kitchen, look for the fridge and stove. Should it boast an enclosed yard for your pets, check for a fence. You get the idea. All in all, if you spot something inconsistent, shoot the host a message about it and see what they say. After all, their response could reveal whether it's a scammer or a genuine person who just needs to update their listing.

Ah, the good old catfish. Scammers could try to fool you with photos that aren't quite the truth, like a "new" photo that's really five years old, from before it was a well-trafficked Airbnb. You might also see a "private yard" that is actually cropped at a weird angle to hide the landlord's front door. Maybe the view from the balcony looks a little too good to be true (cough, cough, Photoshop), or perhaps the interior photos were shot with a wide-angle lens, making the room look far more spacious than it actually is. While some amount of editing and filtering is normal — this is real estate, after all — if something feels off, it's a good idea to listen to your gut.

A quick way to figure out if the photos are hiding something is to scan the reviews from previous guests. To do so, use the search function to look up keywords like "photos" and "pictures." Ideally, you'll find positive reviews that say something to the effect of "the photos of the listing are accurate," giving you peace of mind that it's a safe rental to book. In general, the more reviews a listing has, the better.

One of the most obvious signs of a fake listing is the unrealistic prices for the area, particularly if they're paired with over-the-top amenities. For example, there's no way a luxury villa steps from the beach is going for $60 a night. Whenever you come across a price that borders on suspicious, zoom out on the map and look for nearby listings to see if the prices are comparable.

Another dead giveaway that something is amiss is if the host asks you for your personal information, like an email address or a phone number, or requests you pay them through an outside method. That's how one British family lost $5,197 on a fake three-week booking in Sicily, reports The Guardian. Scammers may even bait you away from the app by offering a significant discount. Don't fall for the trap or click on any links. It could be a way to phish your sensitive information or swindle your cash. That said, you always want to communicate with your host and pay through the Airbnb app, so your trip is protected by AirCover.

You'll also want to be careful with new listings with no reviews. In fact, when checking, look for a verified badge, which means the host has uploaded a government-issued ID. A superhost badge is another green light, indicating that guests consistently leave them positive reviews. You can also check the host's other properties to see what people think about them.

If you notice a fake listing while browsing for a place to stay, don't hesitate to help the traveler community by clicking on the "Report this listing" button. When looking at the page, this option can be found on the right-hand side underneath the box where you'll input the dates of your stay.This will automatically enter the listing into a queue for Airbnb's AI detectors to sort through. You can also file a report on this page.

If you show up to an Airbnb and it clearly does not match the photos, you have a couple of options. For starters, in case you're exhausted and jet-lagged, which they could be banking on, you can just stay and message the host for a partial refund. On the other hand, for a serious mismatch, you can report the issue to Airbnb and stay elsewhere. However, your funds will be held from the host until 24 hours after check-in, so if you're hoping for a full or partial refund, it's best to communicate with customer service before you settle in. While it's never fun to think about an Airbnb scam, knowing the signs and how to handle it can protect the precious vacation you worked so hard for.