Airbnb and Italian police issue guide to curb vacation‑rental scams

The Italian police and Airbnb Italy released a seven‑point guide to protect travelers from “ghost‑house” scams, where fraudulent listings use AI‑generated images, texts and even deep‑fake videos to appear authentic. Victims are most often young adults aged 18‑24, while travelers over 65 are less affected.

Typical frauds include non‑existent properties, hosts disappearing after a deposit, and payments made outside the platform. The guide advises users to verify website URLs, avoid unexpected links received via SMS, email or social media, watch for unusually low prices or hosts pressuring a quick closure, and always complete payments through the Airbnb platform, which holds host funds until check‑in. Police director Ivano Gabrielli and Airbnb Italy Country Manager Matteo Sarzana stressed that these precautions dramatically reduce the risk of being scammed.