Fake listings, bait-and-switch apartments, and the offline payment trap. How to book safely.
Plan your Italy trip →Too-good-to-be-true prices: A "2BR apartment overlooking the Colosseum for €60/night" doesn't exist. If the price is 50%+ below comparable listings, it's suspicious. New listing, no reviews: Not automatically a scam, but higher risk. Prefer listings with 10+ reviews. Off-platform communication: If the host asks you to communicate or pay outside Airbnb/Booking.com ("to avoid fees"), it's either a scam or removes your consumer protection. Always book and pay through the platform. Bait-and-switch: You arrive and the apartment "isn't available" — the host offers a different (worse) property. Solution: report to Airbnb immediately; they'll refund and help find alternatives.
Cross-reference the listing's location on Google Maps (is it really "5 min from the Duomo" or is it 30 min by bus?). Read recent reviews specifically — a listing that was great in 2023 might have deteriorated. Check if the host has other listings and their overall rating. Verified hosts with Superhost status are the safest bet.
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