Before You Unpack at That Airbnb, Read This.
- Cyndi Rose
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
You booked it through the app. The photos looked great. The reviews were solid. You walked in, dropped your bags — and never thought to look twice at the smoke detector on the ceiling, or the USB charger on the nightstand, or the clock radio facing the bed.
That is exactly what the bad actors are counting on.
Airbnb is a genuinely wonderful way to travel. But it connects you with individual strangers, not hotel chains with corporate security standards. That difference matters — and knowing what to look for before you settle in can protect your privacy, your finances, and your peace of mind.
The hidden camera problem is real and documented
In July 2024, CNN published an investigation into Airbnb's hidden camera problem. Their findings were striking: over a decade, Airbnb received approximately 35,000 customer support tickets related to security cameras or recording devices. Police across North America have seized thousands of images captured at rental properties without guests' knowledge — including footage from bedrooms and bathrooms.
"Across North America, police have seized thousands of images from hidden cameras at Airbnb rentals, including people's most intimate moments. It's more than just a few reported cases. And Airbnb knows it's a problem." — CNN investigation, July 2024
In August 2024, a woman in British Columbia told Global News she felt physically sick after discovering undisclosed cameras inside an apartment she had rented. She said she would never use Airbnb again. These are not isolated incidents — they are a pattern.
Airbnb banned all indoor cameras in 2024. But a policy ban does not stop a host who is determined to break the rules. The responsibility for your own safety starts with you, the moment you walk through the door.
Scams start before you even arrive
Hidden cameras are only one piece of the picture. Organized criminal groups are also running sophisticated scams that target guests at the booking stage. A toolkit called Telekopye — used by groups with thousands of members — sends fake Airbnb emails filled with real booking details to trick travelers into handing over payment credentials on convincing phishing sites. In 2023 alone, Airbnb removed over 215,000 fraudulent listings before they went live. That is roughly 1 in every 30 listings that would have been fake.
What to watch for — before and after you book
Red flags every guest should know
Emails or messages asking you to pay or communicate outside the Airbnb platform
Listings with prices that seem too good for the location — often bait for fake bookings
Smoke detectors, clock radios, USB chargers, or air fresheners positioned unusually toward sleeping or bathing areas
Small holes in walls, mirrors, or decorative objects that face private spaces
Open or unsecured WiFi networks — connecting can expose your devices to other users on the same network
Hosts who pressure you to leave reviews quickly or move communication off-platform
Simple steps that actually protect you
When you arrive, do a slow walk-through before you unpack. Look for anything that seems out of place — especially objects with small dark circles or holes, positioned at eye or body level in bedrooms and bathrooms. Cover anything suspicious with a towel while you investigate. If you find something, photograph it, leave the property, and contact both Airbnb and local police immediately.
On the digital side: never click a link in an email claiming to be from Airbnb — go directly to the app or website instead. Use a VPN on the property's WiFi network, or use your phone's cellular data for anything sensitive like banking. And always book through Airbnb's platform — any host who asks you to pay directly or via wire transfer is a red flag, full stop.
Take this checklist on every trip
The Airbnb Guest Safety Checklist gives you a step-by-step room sweep for hidden cameras, a booking-stage scam spotter, and a plain-English guide to staying cyber safe on the road — everything in one place, written for real travelers, not IT professionals.
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