$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Airbnb early check-in fee scam
Hosts charge guests an additional off-platform fee for early check-in that was not part of the original listing agreement, taking advantage of travel fatigue and urgency.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsTravelers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$80
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $800
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
A host agrees to an early check-in time in messages before booking, but upon arrival demands an additional fee of 50-200 USD in cash.
2
Tired travelers who have just arrived often pay to avoid conflict and start their trip.
3
Because the payment was off-platform and the original agreement was informal, disputing the charge through Airbnb is difficult.
What to do first
Get any early check-in agreements in writing through Airbnb's messaging system before booking — this creates a documented record.
Related terms
Airbnb hidden fee scamcheck-in surchargeAirbnb extra charge scamOnline shopping scamsAirbnbSurgingTravelersTouristsFamiliesReal estate professionals and homebuyersTravelersParents and familiesUnited StatesUnited KingdomSpainAirbnb hidden fee scamcheck-in surcharge
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ashley, 35, a travelers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Airbnb. A host agrees to an early check-in time in messages before booking, but upon arrival demands an additional fee of 50-200 USD in cash.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Tired travelers who have just arrived often pay to avoid conflict and start their trip.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Because the payment was off-platform and the original agreement was informal, disputing the charge through Airbnb is difficult.
The outcome
Ashley realized something was wrong when host requests cash or a payment app transfer for early check-in that was previously agreed upon for free. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Get any early check-in agreements in writing through Airbnb's messaging system before booking — this creates a documented record. Ashley's experience shows why host requests cash or a payment app transfer for early check-in that was previously agreed upon for free and the fee is not documented anywhere in the listing or booking confirmation are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Host requests cash or a payment app transfer for early check-in that was previously agreed upon for free
- The fee is not documented anywhere in the listing or booking confirmation
- Host becomes confrontational if you refuse to pay the additional fee
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Get any early check-in agreements in writing through Airbnb's messaging system before booking — this creates a documented record.
- ✓Refuse to pay fees not included in the original booking — contact Airbnb support if the host insists.
- ✓Report the host to Airbnb if they demand undocumented fees upon arrival.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Consumer complaint databases show a steady pattern of Airbnb hosts charging undisclosed fees at check-in, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Get any early check-in agreements in writing through Airbnb's messaging system before booking — this creates a documented record.
- ✓Refuse to pay fees not included in the original booking — contact Airbnb support if the host insists.
- ✓Report the host to Airbnb if they demand undocumented fees upon arrival.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Consumer complaint databases show a steady pattern of Airbnb hosts charging undisclosed fees at check-in, particularly during peak travel seasons.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Travelers, Tourists, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand
Primary channel
Airbnb — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Travelers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Consumer complaint databases show a steady pattern of Airbnb hosts charging undisclosed fees at check-in, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about airbnb early check-in fee scam
How does the airbnb early check-in fee scam work?+
A host agrees to an early check-in time in messages before booking, but upon arrival demands an additional fee of 50-200 USD in cash. Tired travelers who have just arrived often pay to avoid conflict and start their trip. Because the payment was off-platform and the original agreement was informal, disputing the charge through Airbnb is difficult.
What are the warning signs of airbnb early check-in fee scam?+
Host requests cash or a payment app transfer for early check-in that was previously agreed upon for free The fee is not documented anywhere in the listing or booking confirmation Host becomes confrontational if you refuse to pay the additional fee
What should I do if I encounter airbnb early check-in fee scam?+
Get any early check-in agreements in writing through Airbnb's messaging system before booking — this creates a documented record. Refuse to pay fees not included in the original booking — contact Airbnb support if the host insists. Report the host to Airbnb if they demand undocumented fees upon arrival.
Who is most at risk for airbnb early check-in fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets Travelers, Tourists, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand and typically appears on Airbnb.
Is airbnb early check-in fee scam getting worse?+
Airbnb early check-in fee scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, ES, TH. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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