$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake Airbnb support scam
Scammers impersonate Airbnb customer support via phone calls, emails, or fake help websites to steal login credentials, payment information, or trick users into making off-platform payments.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsTravelers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create fake Airbnb support websites and phone numbers that appear in Google search results when users search for 'Airbnb customer service.'
2
When a victim calls, the scammer poses as a support agent and requests login credentials, payment information, or directs the victim to make a payment to a fraudulent account.
3
Some scammers proactively call victims using information from leaked booking data, referencing real reservation details to appear legitimate.
What to do first
Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results.
Related terms
fake Airbnb customer serviceAirbnb support phishingAirbnb help scamBrand impersonation scamsAirbnbSurgingTravelersAirbnb hostsNew Airbnb usersReal estate professionals and homebuyersTravelersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Airbnb customer serviceAirbnb support phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Robert, 35, a travelers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using Airbnb. Scammers create fake Airbnb support websites and phone numbers that appear in Google search results when users search for 'Airbnb customer service.'
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: When a victim calls, the scammer poses as a support agent and requests login credentials, payment information, or directs the victim to make a payment to a fraudulent account.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some scammers proactively call victims using information from leaked booking data, referencing real reservation details to appear legitimate.
The outcome
Robert realized something was wrong when you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be airbnb support about a booking issue. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results. Robert's experience shows why you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be airbnb support about a booking issue and the 'support agent' asks for your password or full credit card number to 'verify your identity' are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- You receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be Airbnb support about a booking issue
- The 'support agent' asks for your password or full credit card number to 'verify your identity'
- You found the support number through a Google search rather than through the Airbnb app or airbnb.com
- 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
- ✓Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results.
- ✓Airbnb support will never ask for your full password or credit card number over the phone.
- ✓If you received a suspicious call, hang up and contact Airbnb through the app to verify whether the issue is real.
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 FTC received over 330,000 business impersonation reports in 2023, with travel and hospitality brands being frequent targets.
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.
- ✓Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results.
- ✓Airbnb support will never ask for your full password or credit card number over the phone.
- ✓If you received a suspicious call, hang up and contact Airbnb through the app to verify whether the issue is real.
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 FTC received over 330,000 business impersonation reports in 2023, with travel and hospitality brands being frequent targets.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 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, Airbnb hosts, New Airbnb users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France
Primary channel
Airbnb — Brand impersonation 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
- The FTC received over 330,000 business impersonation reports in 2023, with travel and hospitality brands being frequent targets.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake airbnb support scam
How does the fake airbnb support scam work?+
Scammers create fake Airbnb support websites and phone numbers that appear in Google search results when users search for 'Airbnb customer service.' When a victim calls, the scammer poses as a support agent and requests login credentials, payment information, or directs the victim to make a payment to a fraudulent account. Some scammers proactively call victims using information from leaked booking data, referencing real reservation details to appear legitimate.
What are the warning signs of fake airbnb support scam?+
You receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be Airbnb support about a booking issue The 'support agent' asks for your password or full credit card number to 'verify your identity' You found the support number through a Google search rather than through the Airbnb app or airbnb.com
What should I do if I encounter fake airbnb support scam?+
Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results. Airbnb support will never ask for your full password or credit card number over the phone. If you received a suspicious call, hang up and contact Airbnb through the app to verify whether the issue is real.
Who is most at risk for fake airbnb support scam?+
This scam primarily targets Travelers, Airbnb hosts, New Airbnb users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and typically appears on Airbnb.
Is fake airbnb support scam getting worse?+
fake Airbnb support scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, FR. 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.