Scammers hunt for our money all year round, but one of the most lucrative periods for them is the holiday season. Despite the fact that the prices of tickets and hotels at this time soar to the sky, they are still snapping up like hot cakes. And those who have not taken care of buying a ticket or booking a room in advance have to feverishly scour the Internet in search of tickets and numbers for a reasonable amount of money.
In the holiday season, the Network is filled with rushing and not very attentive users. Internet fraudsters are not so easy to cash in on them, because you have to post an enormous amount of fake ads and advertisements, and then also make sure that those pecking at the bait do not fall off the hook. But now at the disposal of criminals there is a powerful tool just for this – it is called Land Lordz.
What is Land Lordz?
Land Lordz is a subscription-based service designed for online scammers who specialize in deceiving tourists. Usually, criminals manually create ads, post them and respond to users or skillfully make fake web pages that look exactly like Airbnb. A new tool helps them automate these processes.
Now, according to the observations of the security experts, this program is used only by scammers who trade on Airbnb. But we suspect that the service will soon be pulled to other popular travel sites.
Base Land Lordz subscription costs $ 550 per month. For this money, the attacker can simultaneously manage more than 500 sentences and communicate with hundreds of unsuspecting Airbnb users.
What exactly do scammers do?
Using Land Lordz, fraudsters make fake housing rental offers and post them on Airbnb. As a rule, names and photographs are taken from real announcements, and for credibility, several fake positive feedback is added to each fake record from a ready-made set.
Each offer states that payment will take place exclusively through the Airbnb website, as is usually the case on this service. This creates the feeling that the user is under the protection of Airbnb and in which case will be able to demand a refund.
The offer looks seductive, and the traveler, of course, wants to contact the owner to learn more details. In response to a message the user receives a link leading to a phishing site. This is not at all Airbnb, but it looks solid and looks very similar to the official resource. On the fake user page are asked to specify a username and password.
Seeing that the tourist has almost pecked, the scammers request an advance: there will be no advance payment – there will be no booking. Of course, as soon as the user transfers money, the “landlord” stops responding to private messages and disappears in a fog.
Safeguarding Your Airbnb Experience: Tips to Detect and Avoid Scams
Ensuring a secure Airbnb experience is paramount in the face of expanding scam tactics. To fortify your stay, familiarize yourself with these indispensable tips designed to detect and evade potential scams.
Firstly, scrutinize property listings meticulously. Authentic hosts provide detailed and accurate information about their rentals, accompanied by genuine photographs. Be wary of listings with vague descriptions or stock images, as these may be red flags signaling a scam.
Communicating solely through Airbnb’s platform is another crucial step. Scammers often attempt to divert conversations to external channels, where they can manipulate details or coerce payments. Upholding communication within the platform guarantees accountability and assistance from Airbnb in case of disputes.
Vigilance in transaction processes is equally vital. Avoid wire transfers or requests for payment outside of Airbnb’s secure system. Legitimate hosts will not insist on unconventional payment methods, and any deviation from the platform’s established procedures should trigger caution.
Furthermore, reading reviews diligently is an insightful practice. Genuine guest experiences can reveal the authenticity of a listing and the reliability of a host. Multiple negative reviews or a lack of reviews altogether may indicate a potential scam.
By implementing these safeguards, you can fortify your Airbnb experience against scams, ensuring a worry-free and enjoyable stay.
How not to become another deceived tourist?
- Be suspicious of too tempting offers. If something seems incredibly good, most likely it doesn’t smell true. Learn how to avoid disappointments (or more unpleasant consequences) when preparing for a vacation, in our article on the dangers that may lie in wait when planning trips.
- Be especially careful if the landlord asks you to follow any links. And if he immediately requires payment directly – this is a clear sign of deception.
- Always check the URL of the page in the address bar of your browser to make sure that you are on an official resource. Use the password manager: if he did not fill in the password field on the login page automatically, there is a great chance that you are on a fake website.
- Get a reliable anti-virus solution that will alert you if the link leads to a fraudulent, malicious, or phishing site.
