Technology is growing at a rapid pace, one that is hard for us to keep up with. The growth of technology has introduced AI, which seems like the new alternative for just about everything these days. AI is popping up everywhere, from cover letters to love companions. Even photos are being affected by this new technological advancement, leading people into sketchy situations. One concerning development is AI-generated images posing as actual vacation rentals. With all the trouble AI is causing in the vacation industry, how do you safeguard yourself from fake vacation rentals?
One way to safeguard your next tropical destination is to learn to identify AI-generated pictures from real ones. Fortunately for us, AI is still in its development stages and will need a lot of tweaking before it is perfected. However, there are some telltale signs an image is AI-generated. If you look at the hands on human fingers or the dimensions of certain objects, you may notice they are disproportionate. A website called Get Safe Online can help spot common features that tell them apart from real images. Get Safe Online has a self-help tool that challenges you to spot AI-generated images, descriptions, or audio. This will help when perusing vacation rental listings.
AI has also impacted reviews of travel destinations, so it’s important to read reviews and learn how to spot fake ones. One way to do this is to always check the official website of a rental listing and make sure they have a working number. Remember to run a reverse number check to see who the number belongs to. Look out for broker sites that do not vet any listings on their sites. This is a popular tactic for scammers. Another popular way these listings lure scammers in is through the use of the real company’s logo and name. To prevent being scammed, you can use BeenVerified to run a reverse phone number search. Always compare the contact information on the listing to the phone number on the actual website. Also, use the contact information on the company website, not the advertisement. Finally, use a credit card instead of your debit card when paying for the rental online as most credit cards are protected against fraud. Do not wire or Zelle money to an unknown source.
As part of efforts to help keep their communities protected, Get Safe Online and Airbnb share the following tips to help avoid holiday scams:
1. Never click on unexpected links. Fraudulent links as well as attachments in emails and texts are intended to take you to sites that are designed to look like real company websites. But this can trick individuals into revealing personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Instead, use the Airbnb app or go directly to the website to help ensure you’re on the legitimate company website.
2. Always report suspected scams. If you believe you may have encountered a fraudster or experienced a scam, you should report it to the police. The Get Safe Online website also has information on how to check for certain scams.
3. Be wary of unusually cheap deals or high deposits. If a deal or offer sounds too good to be true, such as those advertised on social media, or if you’re being pressured to make a decision quickly, you may be working with a scammer and it’s best to end all communication immediately.
4. Do not pay for holidays or accommodation by direct bank transfer. Airbnb protects guests by handling all communications and payments solely through its secure platform. If anyone asks you to leave the Airbnb platform to communicate, book, or pay, you should decline and report it to Airbnb immediately.
5. Use trusted platforms to book, pay, and communicate. Vacation stays should always be booked and paid for on trusted platforms like Airbnb. This allows clients to take advantage of secure processes and refund policies. On Airbnb, every booking comes with AirCover. This means if there’s a serious issue with your Airbnb that your host can’t resolve, the company will help you find a similar place or give you a refund.
6. Use a different password for each online account and add two-factor or multi-factor authentication. If you use the same login information for different accounts, there’s a higher risk that your details might be compromised online. This can lead scammers to access and take over your online accounts. To prevent this from happening, Airbnb offers multi-factor authentication, so users can provide more than one way that verifies their identity needed to access their account. These efforts strengthen security and reduce the risk of account takeovers by scammers.
Remember, the more you educate yourself on AI, the more you can protect you and your family during well-earned getaways. Arm yourself with knowledge so you can reap the rewards on a balmy beach. The only thing you should be worried about during your vacation is creating long-lasting memories, while sipping on a piña colada!