Airbnb issues new £2,000 scam warning to UK tourists

Airbnb has warned holidaygoers implicit an alarming scam (Image: Getty)

Airbnb has warned holidaymakers to enactment vigilant implicit an alarming scam costing victims £1,937 connected average.

New probe by the spot rental steadfast and Get Safe Online recovered the magnitude mislaid to fraud successful caller years has been steadily rising.

One method con artists person been deploying is the usage of AI-generated images of properties for fake vacation ads.

Airbnb's study recovered that astir two-thirds of radical find it hard to place erstwhile an representation has been created successful this way.

That is contempt 68% of radical believing that they are not usually susceptible to this benignant of trickery.

The study warned that young radical could beryllium much exposed to scams connected societal media, with much than 40% of those nether 30 apt to hunt for oregon publication a vacation via societal media.

Meanwhile, much than a 3rd of the aforesaid property scope said they would beryllium consenting to marque a large acquisition if it was advertised by an influencer oregon celebrity.

Airbnb and Get Safe Online person present issued information tips assistance radical debar these vacation scams arsenic the Easter interruption approaches - the busiest clip for vacation lets.

Advice includes ne'er clicking connected unexpected links, reporting suspected scams and watching retired for unusually inexpensive deals oregon precocious deposits.

Customers are besides urged to debar paying for a rental by nonstop slope transportation and told alternatively instrumentality to trusted platforms.

Amanda Cupples, wide manager of UK and Northern Europe for Airbnb, said: “As radical look to program their Easter break, holidaymakers should stay vigilant erstwhile browsing for their trips. New technologies are accelerated emerging and utilizing trusted platforms to book, wage and pass is the champion mode to bushed imaginable fraudsters.

“We person safeguards successful spot to support stays booked connected Airbnb, including unafraid outgo processes and enactment measures similar AirCover.” Get Safe Online main enforcement Tony Neate said: “As you question retired deals erstwhile securing your hard-earned interruption away, arsenic the probe shows, this twelvemonth it’s much important than ever to enactment alert erstwhile it comes to booking a holiday.

“When it comes to payment, ever wage connected a trusted platform, which volition supply amended extortion than parting with your wealth to idiosyncratic you don’t know. And spot your instincts – if a woody looks excessively bully to beryllium true, past it astir apt is.”