Airbnb warns of AI-generated rental property scams
Airbnb and Get Safe Online research found that nearly two-thirds of people cannot identify AI-generated images of holiday properties, and that holiday booking scams are among the most common types of fraud in the UK, with average losses of £1,937. Fraudsters are reportedly using AI-generated images on social media to create fake listings, with young people identified as particularly vulnerable to the scams.
What happened
Airbnb and Get Safe Online research found that nearly two thirds of people struggle to identify AI-generated images of properties when shown them, despite 68% saying they were confident they could spot a fake holiday advert.
The firms reported that scams related to booking holidays are among the most common types of fraud in the UK, just behind credit card fraud and phishing scams, with the average amount lost to fraud now £1,937.
Reported impact
Young people were identified as particularly at risk, with research finding that over 40% of those under 30 would search or book a holiday via social media, and more than a third of that age group said they would be willing to make a large purchase if advertised by an influencer or celebrity.
Index analysis
Airbnb cited AI and social media as causing additional problems for consumers seeking to book holidays, with fraudsters using AI-generated images to create fake property listings.
Governance controls
Airbnb issued safety tips including advice to never click unexpected links, always report suspected scams, be wary of unusually cheap deals or high deposits, avoid direct bank transfers, stick to trusted platforms, and use strong passwords with multifactor authentication.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.