$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Airbnb fake host identity scam
Scammers create Airbnb host accounts using stolen identities and list properties they do not own or control, collecting payments that disappear before check-in.
“rental scam”
↑ 274%Key indicators
Usually targetsTravelers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.8K
median reported loss
Typical range$360 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~10%
Annual reports43,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create Airbnb accounts using stolen identification documents, building profiles that pass basic verification.
2
They list properties scraped from real estate sites or other rental platforms, using someone else's photos and address.
3
After collecting payments from multiple guests booked for overlapping dates, the scammer deactivates the account and disappears.
What to do first
Book with Superhosts or hosts with extensive verified review histories whenever possible.
Related terms
fake Airbnb hoststolen identity listingAirbnb identity theft hostRental scamsAirbnbRisingTravelersBudget travelersBusiness travelersReal estate professionals and homebuyersTravelersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Airbnb hoststolen identity listing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Nicole, 35, a travelers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate rental scams situation while using Airbnb. Scammers create Airbnb accounts using stolen identification documents, building profiles that pass basic verification.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They list properties scraped from real estate sites or other rental platforms, using someone else's photos and address.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: After collecting payments from multiple guests booked for overlapping dates, the scammer deactivates the account and disappears.
The outcome
Nicole realized something was wrong when host's profile was created very recently with no reviews or hosting history. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Book with Superhosts or hosts with extensive verified review histories whenever possible. Nicole's experience shows why host's profile was created very recently with no reviews or hosting history and host avoids video calls and provides evasive answers about the property's specific details are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Host's profile was created very recently with no reviews or hosting history
- Host avoids video calls and provides evasive answers about the property's specific details
- Listing price is significantly below market rate for the area and property type
- 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 with Superhosts or hosts with extensive verified review histories whenever possible.
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, contact Airbnb support to verify the listing before booking.
- ✓Use Airbnb's AirCover protection — if you arrive and the property is not as described or does not exist, Airbnb will rebook you or refund your stay.
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.
- The FBI IC3 reported that rental and real estate fraud resulted in over 396 million USD in losses in 2023, with online platforms being the primary medium.
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 with Superhosts or hosts with extensive verified review histories whenever possible.
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, contact Airbnb support to verify the listing before booking.
- ✓Use Airbnb's AirCover protection — if you arrive and the property is not as described or does not exist, Airbnb will rebook you or refund your stay.
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.
The FBI IC3 reported that rental and real estate fraud resulted in over 396 million USD in losses in 2023, with online platforms being the primary medium.
FBI IC3 2024
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, Budget travelers, Business travelers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Airbnb — Rental 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 growing number of 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
- The FBI IC3 reported that rental and real estate fraud resulted in over 396 million USD in losses in 2023, with online platforms being the primary medium.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about airbnb fake host identity scam
How does the airbnb fake host identity scam work?+
Scammers create Airbnb accounts using stolen identification documents, building profiles that pass basic verification. They list properties scraped from real estate sites or other rental platforms, using someone else's photos and address. After collecting payments from multiple guests booked for overlapping dates, the scammer deactivates the account and disappears.
What are the warning signs of airbnb fake host identity scam?+
Host's profile was created very recently with no reviews or hosting history Host avoids video calls and provides evasive answers about the property's specific details Listing price is significantly below market rate for the area and property type
What should I do if I encounter airbnb fake host identity scam?+
Book with Superhosts or hosts with extensive verified review histories whenever possible. If a deal seems too good to be true, contact Airbnb support to verify the listing before booking. Use Airbnb's AirCover protection — if you arrive and the property is not as described or does not exist, Airbnb will rebook you or refund your stay.
Who is most at risk for airbnb fake host identity scam?+
This scam primarily targets Travelers, Budget travelers, Business travelers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Airbnb.
Is airbnb fake host identity scam on the rise?+
Airbnb fake host identity scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. 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.