How-to
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Guest
With few exceptions, the full cost of your reservation is collected by Airbnb. If you paid for any part of your reservation outside Airbnb, it may be fraudulent.
If you suspect fraud, let us know immediately.
Fees that a Host can collect directly
On occasion, a Host may collect certain authorized fees and taxes directly from guests using a payment method outside Airbnb.
These fees must be detailed in the listing description and included in the price breakdown prior to booking, and are usually charged before the stay, at check-in, or within 48 hours of checkout.
Additional fees:
- Security deposit: Hosts who manage their listings with API-connected software can set a security deposit using our offline fees feature. Learn more about security deposits.
- Resort fees: These may cover amenities like wifi or valet parking.
- Incidentals: This might include airport shuttle or parking fees.
- Local occupancy tax: In some areas, Hosts are legally required to collect this in person. Find out more about how taxes work for guests.
When to report
Caught off-guard by an unfamiliar off-site payment request? Report it to us immediately.
Red flags include wire or bank transfer requests, and PDF or paper invoices. Stay mindful of terms like Western Union, MoneyGram, cashier's check, money order, or Liberty Reserve.
To report a message
Report a message on desktop
- Go to Messages and select the conversation you want to report
- In the message, click the three dots icon
- Click Report this message
- Select the reason you're reporting the message and click Ok
- Give further details (if required), and then click Submit
For most of the reasons, you'llhave the optionto block the person from messaging you again.
To report an email
If you receive an email from anyone asking for payment off-site, contact us immediately. This includes senders with an airbnb.com email address.
Types of scams
Help protect yourself from these common scams by booking through the Airbnb platform, keeping your email address private, and examining emails that claim to be from Airbnb.
- Advance fee scam: Someone offers to pay you or give you something if you pay through a service outside Airbnb.
- Phishing scam: Someone sends an email or link posing as Airbnb or another trusted site. These messages are designed to trick you into providing confidential information, and may contain malicious software (malware) designed to access passwords and contacts.
- Travel scam: Someone offers a great deal if you pay by wire transfer, then fails to deliver.
- Overpayment scam: A guest offers to pay more than the listed price, then asks the Host for cash to cover the difference.
- Third-party booking scam: Someone offers to reserve and pay for an Airbnb listing through their third-party website or service, often claiming to have an Airbnb coupon or discount. These reservations are typically paid for using stolen credit cards.
Note: Any reservations that are made outside Airbnb violate our Terms of Service. If we identify that a reservation was made through a third-party service, we may cancel the reservation and deactivate the accounts of the person who made the reservation and the guest.
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