State Police and Airbnb advice to avoid online scams

From credit card fraud to social media phishing, Gen Z and Millennials are at increased risk of falling victim to scams
The phenomenon of online scams continues to grow. Despite being digitally native generations, surprisingly, Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely victims of these scams, from credit card fraud to phishing, rather than seniors. This is according to findings from the Italian State Police and Airbnb, which, on the eve of summer and holiday bookings, have renewed their collaboration to help citizens recognize and avoid online scammers. The campaign's spokesperson is Marco Camisani Calzolari, who already collaborates with the Italian State Police on the issue of online scams.

The victim's identikit

According to the 2023 Report on the activities of the Postal Police and Cyber ​​Security, last year saw a significant increase in online fraud attempts in Italy, with a 6% increase in these crimes from 2022 to 2023 and a consequent increase in stolen money, which went from 114 million euros to 137 million (+20%) [1]. 2.500 phishing sites were identified and blocked by Airbnb in the last 12 months alone. Although born and raised in the digital age, the new generations are less careful when it comes to online security. According to Consumerismo, 1 in 5 Italians declares having been the victim of at least one scam while shopping online, a percentage that rises to 33,1% in the XNUMX age group.

aged 25-34: this means that 3 in 2 young people have fallen into the "traps" of e-commerce. [XNUMX] Italy is no exception compared to Europe, as highlighted by the surveys of Airbnb:

In the UK, young people aged 18 to 34 have been scammed more than any other age group and more than a third (34%) would not know where to turn for help if they were scammed.[3]

In Spain, the majority of Baby Boomers (60%), Gen X (55%) and Millennials (56%) use a different password for each online account, while the percentage drops to half (50%) when considering Gen Z

In the Netherlands, almost a third of 18-24 year olds (31%) and 25-34 year olds (33%) are willing to pay for their holidays with a bank transfer, a less secure payment method, compared to just 14% of 55-64 year olds and 14% of over 65s.[4]

In France, nearly a quarter (23%) of users would use a social network to pay for or book holiday accommodation, a context in which scammers could target victims with offers that are too good to be true.[5]

While the common belief is that Baby Boomers are the most at risk of scams, Millennials actually admit they're willing to risk impulse purchases if it means saving money. This age group is more likely to make deals outside of trusted booking platforms, thus exposing themselves to a greater risk of something going wrong. Finally, their relaxed attitude toward social media, which they use daily, may be one of the reasons why younger people are more susceptible to unpleasant surprises.

Valentina Reino, Head of Institutional Relations for Airbnb Italy, said: "We're in the midst of the booking season; this initiative aims to help people understand the warning signs to look for and the best practices to adopt. When it comes to booking on Airbnb, we encourage our guests to communicate, book, and pay only on the platform, where transactions are secure and can also count on AirCover, our insurance program protecting hosts and guests. The vast majority of scams occur outside our site.

In recent years, we have seen a steady increase in online financial crimes. In 2023 alone, the Postal Police handled over 16 cases, including those related to the booking of vacation homes, packages, and travel tickets. Although most scams occur outside of travel booking platforms, we also see significant evidence in this sector, especially during peak holiday planning periods. These types of scams can be recognized and avoided with adequate and constant user awareness-raising, and the Postal Police is fully committed to this. For this reason, we appreciate and

We are renewing our collaboration with Airbnb in the prevention of such crimes." Massimo Bruno, Chief of Staff of the State Police and Director of the Financial Cybercrime Division of the Postal Police and Cybersecurity Service.

How to avoid online scams: advice

Check the website address. Whether you're using a computer or smartphone, it's best to verify that you're booking through the official platform. The best way to do this is to use the Airbnb app or go directly to the website to make sure you're on the official site (www.airbnb.it).

Don't click on unknown links. Lax use of social media can expose users to scams. If you're unsure whether a message or post is from a legitimate company, don't share or interact with it, and don't click on any links. Airbnb provides guidelines on how to identify a genuine link or email from the platform.

Be wary of overly favorable offers or deposit requests. With the rising cost of living, many consumers are hunting for great deals; but if a deal or listing seems too good to be true, you may be dealing with a scam. In this case, it's advisable to take your time examining the listing details and existing reviews, especially if payment is rushed.

Never pay by bank transfer. This is a payment method not allowed by Airbnb. It is better to use a credit card, which offers more protection. If you are asked to pay for a trip by bank transfer, cryptocurrencies or gift cards, it is very likely a scam.

Book, pay and communicate only on the platform. Some users may be attracted by the proposal to negotiate privately outside the portal to save money. However, this does not allow you to take advantage of Airbnb guarantees, which does not recognize payments made by guests until 24 hours after check-in, while AirCover for guests provides protection for some possible eventualities.

Check reviews. Reading other guests' opinions is helpful for getting a better idea before booking. Check the ratings and reviews and carefully read the listing description. You can also ask the host questions via messaging on the platform before booking your dates.

Communicate with the host. Once you've booked, before traveling, it's best to contact the host to arrange your arrival and verify any particularly important needs. If you don't hear back, contact customer service immediately.

How to properly report a concern. On Airbnb, users can report controversial messages directly from the internal messaging system, while suspicious cases can be flagged via a flag on each listing. If you've made a payment off-site, you should immediately contact customer support, which is available 24/24.

Happy holidays from the State Police and AirBnB