Airbnb has warned holidaymakers to stay vigilant over an alarming scam costing victims £1,937 on average.
New research by the property rental firm and Get Safe Online found the amount lost to fraud in recent years has been steadily rising.
One method con artists have been deploying is the use of AI-generated images of properties for fake holiday ads.
Airbnb’s report found that nearly two-thirds of people find it difficult to identify when an image has been created in this way.
That is despite 68% of people believing that they are not normally susceptible to this kind of trickery.
The report warned that young people could be more exposed to scams on social media, with more than 40% of those under 30 likely to search for or book a holiday via social media.
Meanwhile, more than a third of the same age range said they would be willing to make a big purchase if it was advertised by an influencer or celebrity.
Airbnb and Get Safe Online have now issued safety tips help people avoid these holiday scams as the Easter break approaches – the busiest time for holiday lets.
Advice includes never clicking on unexpected links, reporting suspected scams and watching out for unusually cheap deals or high deposits.
Customers are also urged to avoid paying for a rental by direct bank transfer and told instead stick to trusted platforms.
Amanda Cupples, general manager of UK and Northern Europe for Airbnb, said: “As people look to plan their Easter break, holidaymakers should remain vigilant when browsing for their trips. New technologies are fast emerging and using trusted platforms to book, pay and communicate is the best way to beat potential fraudsters.
“We have safeguards in place to protect stays booked on Airbnb, including secure payment processes and support measures like AirCover.” Get Safe Online chief executive Tony Neate said: “As you seek out deals when securing your hard-earned break away, as the research shows, this year it’s more important than ever to stay alert when it comes to booking a holiday.
“When it comes to payment, always pay on a trusted platform, which will provide better protection than parting with your money to someone you don’t know. And trust your instincts – if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is.”
