Airbnb Fraud

Just in time for your summer vacation, this episode delivers a warning about Airbnb Scams. Some people are shocked to find that when they arrive at their destination, their lodging is not available. There are several possible explanations that the scammer may use. You may be told that there are plumbing problems or that the lodging was damaged by the previous tennant. You may be offered inferior lodging but it's likely to be more expensive. In desperation, weary travelers are likely to accept the offer! Here's are some Best Practices to Try & Avoid Airbnb Poser Scams: - Stay on the Airbnb site when having conversations with the property owner. Ask a lot of questions. - Read reviews. If the reviews came in at about the same time, they may have been falsely created by scammers. - Make sure you see pictures of the inside of the property, not just the outside. - Be VERY suspicious if you're asked to pay with Bitcoin or Gift Cards. - Do a reverse search of the Airbnb rental property photo. - If the problem crops up before you leave for the trip, ask the owner to cancel the reservation. Then look for another place to stay. Another scam that travelers need to watch out for are phony airline booking sites, pretending to sell airline tickets. Be sure to double check the URL code and phone number of the business and always check with the airline to be sure your tickets were actually booked. Also, use a credit card to purchase the tickets; you'll have a better chance of disputing the charge and getting your money back. Vicki also warned about a phone message that people are receiving, telling them their iCloud account was breached. Don't take the call! Then at the end, we'll hear some GOOD NEWS!