After managing 200+ properties and processing over 50,000 guest stays, our team at Corzly has encountered pretty much every scam in the book. What started as occasional isolated incidents has become a growing problem that’s hitting hosts across all markets.

But these scams are getting more sophisticated, and they don’t just target new hosts. We’ve seen seasoned property managers get caught off guard by tactics that seem legitimate on the surface.

Here’s what we’ve learned about the 7 most common STR scams, and more importantly, how to prevent them:

1. The Copycat Listing Scam

What happens: Someone copies your listing word-for-word and posts it on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other platforms at a fraction of your rate. They collect payment through PayPal, Venmo, or even checks, then disappear. You only find out when confused “guests” show up at your door.

Red flag: Someone contacts you directly asking for a “deal” or mentions seeing your property on Craigslist when you don’t advertise there.

2. Booking.com Payment Loopholes

What happens: A guest makes a last-minute booking on Booking.com. Your automated system sends check-in instructions because the reservation appears confirmed, but the payment processing actually failed. The guest stays, you’re out the money, and Booking.com treats it as a dispute between you and the guest.

Pro tip: Our team manually verifies every booking under 48 hours, regardless of the platform.

3. Chargeback Fraud

What happens: Guests stay at your property, communicate normally throughout their visit, then file a credit card dispute afterward claiming they never stayed or the service wasn’t provided. Credit card companies often side with their cardholders initially.

Evidence that wins disputes: Communication logs, camera footage, utility usage spikes, and signed rental agreements.

4. Stolen Credit Card Bookings

What happens: Someone makes a reservation using a stolen credit card. They may even stay at the property. When the real cardholder discovers the fraudulent charge, they dispute it with their bank. You lose the revenue and potentially face chargeback fees.

Warning signs: Mismatched names, reluctance to provide ID, or communication that seems off compared to the booking details.

5. The Dirty Linens Plant

What happens: Guests bring their own soiled linens or plant evidence like bugs or hair, then photograph it as “proof” your property is unsanitary. They demand full refunds and threaten negative reviews.

Response strategy: Request specific photos of the issues and compare them to your pre-stay documentation. Real cleanliness issues usually have consistent patterns.

6. The Cleanliness Quick-Scam

What happens: Guests book last-minute (often during high-demand events), stay for a few hours to freshen up or pre-game, then claim the property is dirty and demand a full refund. They essentially get free short-term use of your space.

Dead giveaway: They claim the place is dirty but your housekeepers find used towels, empty bottles, or other signs of occupancy.

7. Third-Party Squatter Arrangements

What happens: Someone with a clean booking history reserves your property but gives access to completely different people. These “guests” often don’t know the original booker and may be subletting the space. You lose control over who’s actually staying.

Immediate action: If unauthorized people are in your property, contact them directly and the booking platform immediately. Document everything for potential legal action.

The Prevention System That Actually Works

After dealing with thousands of reservations, here’s our proven prevention framework:

Pre-Booking Protection:

• ID verification with selfie matching – Require ID that matches the credit card name exactly, plus a selfie for identity confirmation
• 48-hour minimum between booking and check-in – Never allow same-day check-ins from any OTA
• Digital rental agreements required before code release – Use electronic signatures and don’t release access codes until signed
• Address verification services (AVS) when processing payments
• Manual approval for all last-minute bookings – Our team manually verifies every booking under 48 hours, regardless of platform
• Deposit requirements or security holds – Implement these especially for higher-risk bookings

During Stay Documentation:

• Exterior cameras (following local privacy laws) to verify guest count and prove occupancy
• Smart locks with unique codes per guest that log entry times and codes
• Take detailed photos of every room before guest check-in
• Document all communication – Save every message thread for potential disputes
• Professional cleaning services with documented checklists
• Timestamped photos of property condition before and after stays

Post-Stay Protection:

• Photo documentation of property condition after checkout
• Saved communication threads for dispute evidence
• Quick response to any platform disputes with comprehensive documentation
• Detailed records of any maintenance or service calls during stays

Ongoing Monitoring:

• Set up Google alerts for your property address and unique listing phrases
• Watermark your photos with your business name
• Report copycat listings immediately to platforms
• Include strict “no subletting” clauses in rental agreements
• Require primary guest present for check-in
• Install UV sanitizing lights or other visible cleaning equipment

Booking Policies That Protect You:

• Avoid last-minute bookings during major local events
• Require minimum stays during peak periods
• Charge cleaning fees upfront, non-refundable
• Use property management systems that confirm payment processing before releasing codes
• Be suspicious of bookings from foreign cards for domestic properties
• Limit guest numbers and require advance notice for changes

The Bottom Line

These scams work because they exploit the hospitality industry’s trust-based nature. But once you have systems in place, scammers usually move on to easier targets.

We’ve implemented these prevention measures across our entire portfolio, and scam attempts have dropped by over 90%. The few that still try are caught early and documented properly.

The key isn’t being suspicious of every guest – it’s having consistent systems that protect legitimate hosts and guests while making fraud too difficult and risky for scammers.