The hospitality sector, especially short-term rentals, is exposed to various types of scams. Some are easy to spot, while others can fool even the most experienced hosts.
- The phantom guest
These are confirmed bookings from guests who never show up, often made with stolen cards. The problem is that platforms can cancel and refund the payment, leaving you with no coverage. - Payments with cloned cards
Guests enter stolen credit card details. When the bank detects the fraud, the transaction is reversed and the host loses both the money and the blocked availability. - Guests refusing to pay due extras
For example, tourist taxes, damage costs or extra cleaning fees, using the threat of negative reviews as leverage.
How to protect yourself:
- Always verify guest identity, even with bookings from well-known platforms.
- Request traceable and upfront payments for extra services.
- Promptly report suspicious behavior to platforms and authorities.
- Use host networks, like HostGuard, to check previous reports.
Prevention is key: the more information you have, the less risk you face.