Holiday Rental Scams
Fake apartment, villa and car rentals that take a deposit for a property that isn't available.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
A holiday rental scam advertises an attractive property or vehicle that the scammer doesn't own or that doesn't exist, taking a deposit or full payment off-platform before you arrive to nothing.
How it works
Listings use stolen photos and low prices. The 'host' pushes you to pay by transfer outside the booking platform, citing fees or urgency. On arrival, the property is unavailable, double-booked, or fictional.
Common red flags
- Pressure to pay outside the platform
- Below-market price for a desirable property
- Host can't do a live video tour
- Stolen or generic photos
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
To avoid platform fees, pay the deposit by bank transfer and I'll send the keys details.
Payment methods used
- Bank transfer
- Payment apps
- Crypto
Who is usually targeted
- Holidaymakers
- Long-stay travellers
- Students abroad
What to do immediately
- Only pay through the platform's protected system
- Request a live video tour before paying
- Contact your bank if you transferred funds; report the listing
Evidence to preserve
- Listing and host details
- Chat history
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers push off-platform payment?
Booking platforms include protections and dispute tools. Moving you to bank transfer removes them, so any 'avoid the fees, pay me directly' request for a rental is a major warning sign.