Booking a holiday rental safely

In short: Holiday flats offer more space and a kitchen of your own, but fraudsters with fake listings also lurk when you book. Checking the host, the payment method and the terms makes booking much safer.

In more detail: Typical signs of fraud are very low prices for popular places, pressure to pay quickly and payment in advance by bank transfer to private individuals. Reputable hosts have verifiable contact details and clear terms.

In detail

• Platform or direct: Well-known booking platforms often handle payment and offer customer service. When booking directly, check the host’s legal details, address and phone number.
• Stay on the platform: Fraudsters often try to move communication and payment off the platform. You then usually lose the platform’s protection.
• Payment method: Never send cash transfers or gift cards to strangers. Payment methods with buyer protection or payment via the platform are safer.
• Too good to be true: Unusually cheap offers in peak season are a warning sign. A reverse image search shows whether the photos also appear in other listings.
• Read the reviews: Many detailed reviews spread over a long period are a good sign. Check brand-new listings without reviews especially carefully.
• Total price: Besides the nightly rate there may be a final cleaning fee, a deposit, bed linen or a local tourist tax. Clarify all costs before booking.
• Cancellation terms: Before booking, read until when and at what cost you can cancel for free or partly. Travel cancellation insurance can be worthwhile.
• Check the location: Look up the address on a map and check distances to the beach, station or shops yourself.
• On arrival: Take photos of the condition of the flat and report defects straight away. This helps in any later dispute over the deposit (phishing-und-betrugsmaschen-erkennen, reiseversicherungen-ueberblick, reisebudget-planen).