'Strangers coming to the house': California woman looking for answers after finding out her home was used in a fake rental listing — how these scams work and what to know to protect yourself

A growing trend in online rental scams

According to KTLA 5 News consumer reporter David Lazarus, this type of fraud is becoming more frequent.

“It’s a common enough scam that there’s a name for it — short-term rental scams — and it’s most common on Airbnb and Booking.com,” Lazarus said in the report.

These scams can involve criminals creating fake listings using either stolen or generic photos and attaching them to real addresses. Some booking platforms rely on automated systems, which can allow fraudulent listings to go live without being flagged or verified.

The rise of digital platforms and third-party payment apps has made it easier for scammers to exploit homeowners and renters. In cases like Cavish’s, the fraud is a financial and safety concern.

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How to protect yourself

Lazarus warned travelers to proceed cautiously when booking short-term stays online.

“In terms of any payment, communication, don’t leave the platform,” Lazarus said. “So, if the listing says they want you to pay with Zelle or Venmo or some other digital payment plan, and especially if they ask for crypto, walk away.”

Another simple precaution is to cross-reference the property’s address with Google Maps. If there are exterior photos of the building in the listing and they look different, that’s a major red flag.

One more tip is to verify hosts and read reviews carefully. When a listing lacks reviews or seems too good to be true, it just might be.

For homeowners, checking periodically to ensure their property isn’t being misused online and setting up Google alerts for their home’s address may help catch scams early.

Meanwhile, if you find a suspicious listing, consider reporting it to the platform. Some platforms have dedicated channels for reporting fraud, and flagging a suspicious listing can prevent others from falling victim.