$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Airbnb experience host scam
Fake or misleading Airbnb Experiences are listed by scam hosts who collect payment for tours, classes, or activities that either do not happen or are drastically different from what was advertised.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsTourists
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
Scammers list appealing Experiences — cooking classes, adventure tours, cultural walks — with attractive photos stolen from legitimate tour operators.
2
After booking, the host may ghost the guest entirely, or show up and deliver a vastly inferior experience compared to what was promised.
3
Some hosts use the initial booking to upsell expensive add-ons paid off-platform, then provide minimal value.
What to do first
Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform.
Related terms
fake Airbnb ExperienceAirbnb tour scamAirbnb activity fraudOnline shopping scamsAirbnbSurgingTouristsTravelersAdventure seekersReal estate professionals and homebuyersTravelersOnline shoppersUnited StatesMexicoThailandfake Airbnb ExperienceAirbnb tour scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 35, a tourists, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Airbnb. Scammers list appealing Experiences — cooking classes, adventure tours, cultural walks — with attractive photos stolen from legitimate tour operators.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: After booking, the host may ghost the guest entirely, or show up and deliver a vastly inferior experience compared to what was promised.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some hosts use the initial booking to upsell expensive add-ons paid off-platform, then provide minimal value.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when experience has no reviews despite being listed for a long time at a popular destination. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform. Christopher's experience shows why experience has no reviews despite being listed for a long time at a popular destination and host requests additional payment outside the platform for 'extra materials' or 'premium add-ons' are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Experience has no reviews despite being listed for a long time at a popular destination
- Host requests additional payment outside the platform for 'extra materials' or 'premium add-ons'
- Description is vague about the specific activities, meeting point, or what is included
- 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
- ✓Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform.
- ✓Contact the host before booking to ask specific questions about the experience — evasive answers are a red flag.
- ✓Report misleading or no-show Experiences to Airbnb for a refund through the resolution center.
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 complaints about misleading Airbnb Experiences have increased as the platform expanded its offerings, with Airbnb investing in additional host verification for Experiences.
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.
- ✓Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform.
- ✓Contact the host before booking to ask specific questions about the experience — evasive answers are a red flag.
- ✓Report misleading or no-show Experiences to Airbnb for a refund through the resolution center.
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 complaints about misleading Airbnb Experiences have increased as the platform expanded its offerings, with Airbnb investing in additional host verification for Experiences.
OpenScam research
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
Tourists, Travelers, Adventure seekers
Geographic concentration
United States, Mexico, Thailand, Italy
Primary channel
Airbnb — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Tourists 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 complaints about misleading Airbnb Experiences have increased as the platform expanded its offerings, with Airbnb investing in additional host verification for Experiences.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about airbnb experience host scam
How does the airbnb experience host scam work?+
Scammers list appealing Experiences — cooking classes, adventure tours, cultural walks — with attractive photos stolen from legitimate tour operators. After booking, the host may ghost the guest entirely, or show up and deliver a vastly inferior experience compared to what was promised. Some hosts use the initial booking to upsell expensive add-ons paid off-platform, then provide minimal value.
What are the warning signs of airbnb experience host scam?+
Experience has no reviews despite being listed for a long time at a popular destination Host requests additional payment outside the platform for 'extra materials' or 'premium add-ons' Description is vague about the specific activities, meeting point, or what is included
What should I do if I encounter airbnb experience host scam?+
Book Experiences with hosts who have multiple verified reviews and a track record on the platform. Contact the host before booking to ask specific questions about the experience — evasive answers are a red flag. Report misleading or no-show Experiences to Airbnb for a refund through the resolution center.
Who is most at risk for airbnb experience host scam?+
This scam primarily targets Tourists, Travelers, Adventure seekers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Mexico, Thailand, Italy and typically appears on Airbnb.
Is airbnb experience host scam getting worse?+
Airbnb experience host scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, MX, TH, IT. 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.