$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Airbnb off-platform payment request scam
Hosts convince guests to pay outside the Airbnb platform to avoid service fees, leaving travelers with no payment protection and often no actual reservation.
“rental scam”
↑ 274%Key indicators
Usually targetsTravelers
Often hitsSmall business owners
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
A host with an attractive listing contacts the guest through Airbnb messaging but quickly suggests moving communication off-platform for a 'better deal.'
2
The host offers a lower price if the guest pays directly via wire transfer, eliminating Airbnb's service fees.
3
After payment is received, the host becomes unresponsive or the listing turns out to be fake — the guest has no Airbnb booking protection.
What to do first
Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution.
Related terms
Airbnb wire transfer scamoff-app booking scamAirbnb payment bypassRental scamsAirbnbRisingTravelersBudget travelersFamiliesSmall business ownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersTravelersUnited StatesUnited KingdomFranceAirbnb wire transfer scamoff-app booking scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Brian, 35, a travelers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate rental scams situation while using Airbnb. A host with an attractive listing contacts the guest through Airbnb messaging but quickly suggests moving communication off-platform for a 'better deal.'
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The host offers a lower price if the guest pays directly via wire transfer, eliminating Airbnb's service fees.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: After payment is received, the host becomes unresponsive or the listing turns out to be fake — the guest has no Airbnb booking protection.
The outcome
Brian realized something was wrong when host asks you to pay through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, venmo, or zelle instead of through airbnb. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution. Brian's experience shows why host asks you to pay through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, venmo, or zelle instead of through airbnb and host offers a significant discount for booking directly and paying outside the platform are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Host asks you to pay through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, Venmo, or Zelle instead of through Airbnb
- Host offers a significant discount for booking directly and paying outside the platform
- Communication moves to personal email or WhatsApp early in the conversation
- 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
- ✓Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution.
- ✓Report hosts who request off-platform payment to Airbnb immediately.
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, especially with off-platform payment, it is almost certainly a scam.
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 BBB reported that rental scams were among the riskiest scam types in 2023, with vacation rental fraud consistently ranking in the top 10 by dollar loss.
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.
- ✓Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution.
- ✓Report hosts who request off-platform payment to Airbnb immediately.
- ✓If a deal seems too good to be true, especially with off-platform payment, it is almost certainly a scam.
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 BBB reported that rental scams were among the riskiest scam types in 2023, with vacation rental fraud consistently ranking in the top 10 by dollar loss.
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, Budget travelers, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain
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 BBB reported that rental scams were among the riskiest scam types in 2023, with vacation rental fraud consistently ranking in the top 10 by dollar loss.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about airbnb off-platform payment request scam
How does the airbnb off-platform payment request scam work?+
A host with an attractive listing contacts the guest through Airbnb messaging but quickly suggests moving communication off-platform for a 'better deal.' The host offers a lower price if the guest pays directly via wire transfer, eliminating Airbnb's service fees. After payment is received, the host becomes unresponsive or the listing turns out to be fake — the guest has no Airbnb booking protection.
What are the warning signs of airbnb off-platform payment request scam?+
Host asks you to pay through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, Venmo, or Zelle instead of through Airbnb Host offers a significant discount for booking directly and paying outside the platform Communication moves to personal email or WhatsApp early in the conversation
What should I do if I encounter airbnb off-platform payment request scam?+
Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution. Report hosts who request off-platform payment to Airbnb immediately. If a deal seems too good to be true, especially with off-platform payment, it is almost certainly a scam.
Who is most at risk for airbnb off-platform payment request scam?+
This scam primarily targets Travelers, Budget travelers, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain and typically appears on Airbnb.
Is airbnb off-platform payment request scam on the rise?+
Airbnb off-platform payment request scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, FR, ES. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Marketplace fraud
→ 0%Marketplace payment reversal scam
A buyer on a marketplace uses fake payment confirmation, overpayment stories, or refund pressure to get goods without completing a legitimate payment.
What to do first
Only trust the actual payment app or bank balance, not screenshots.
Targets
Casual sellers
Seen in
U.S.
Travel fraud
↑ 54%Travel booking message hijack scam
A traveler receives a realistic property or booking message that requests off-platform payment, identity verification, or a new deposit.
What to do first
Keep all communication and payment inside the booking platform.
Targets
Travelers
Seen in
Europe
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
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.
Relevant collections