Holiday Let Scam UK: How to Spot Fake Rental Listings and Protect Your Money

Thousands of UK holidaymakers lose money every year to fake holiday let scams — here's how to book safely and verify listings before you pay.

Published 2026-05-13 · Beat the Scam Editorial Team · 7 min read

What is this scam?

A holiday let scam occurs when someone poses as a property owner or letting agent and advertises a fake or unavailable holiday rental. The scammer either uses genuine photos stolen from real listings or posts manipulated images. They may claim to be renting out a cottage in Cornwall, a flat in Edinburgh, or a seaside property — anywhere holidaymakers search. The scam targets your money by requesting deposits (often 25-50% of the rental cost) or full payment upfront, typically via bank transfer, PayPal, or cryptocurrency. Once you pay, the 'landlord' stops responding to messages. Some variants ask for your personal details to 'verify' your booking, leading to identity theft or account takeovers. These scams are particularly active during school holidays and peak season when demand is high and people book quickly without thorough checks.

Warning signs to look for

• The price is significantly lower than comparable properties in the same area — if a 4-bedroom cottage in the Cotswolds costs £400 per week when others cost £1,200, question it.
• The listing uses stock photos or blurry images; reverse image search reveals the photos belong to other properties or websites.
• The 'owner' insists on payment via bank transfer outside the booking platform, cryptocurrency, or gift cards instead of using the platform's secure payment system.
• Communication is poor or evasive; the owner avoids answering specific questions about the property and uses generic, copy-paste responses.
• The listing has no history, reviews, or established profile; new accounts with no verified bookings are higher risk.
• They refuse video calls or refuse to show the property virtually before you pay.
• The contract or payment request looks unprofessional, contains spelling mistakes, or uses unusual language that suggests a non-UK speaker unfamiliar with UK rental terminology.
• They pressure you to decide quickly or claim another renter is interested and you must pay immediately to secure it.

How this scam works step by step

Step 1: The scammer posts a fake rental listing on a legitimate platform (Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo) by hacking an account or impersonating an owner, or creates a convincing fake website mimicking a real letting agent. Step 2: You enquire about the property and the scammer responds quickly and enthusiastically, often offering a 'discount' if you book directly to 'save fees.' Step 3: They pressure you to pay a deposit — typically £200-£2,000 — before you've verified anything, claiming the property is 'in high demand' or availability is limited. Step 4: You transfer the money via bank transfer or pay via a third-party app like PayPal. Step 5: The scammer requests additional payment for 'cleaning fees,' 'keys,' or 'final payment,' or simply disappears after the first deposit. Step 6: When you try to contact them or arrive at the address on your booking date, the property is either non-existent, occupied by genuine tenants unaware of the scam, or the 'owner' denies all knowledge. By then, your money is gone and the scammer's account is deleted or disconnected.

How to verify if it is genuine

First, always book through the official platform (Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo) and use their payment system — never transfer money to a private bank account. Check the property owner's profile thoroughly: look for booking history, genuine guest reviews, a verified ID, and how long they've been active. Search the property address on Google Maps to confirm it exists and cross-reference any photos with a reverse image search using Google Images — paste the photo URL and check if it appears elsewhere. Contact the property directly using details from the platform, not email addresses provided in messages. Ask specific questions about the property that only a genuine owner would know (local landmarks, parking details, exact view from windows). Request a video call to tour the property before paying. Verify the letting agent's details independently by looking up their office address and phone number on their official website, not information provided by them. For further guidance on verifying suspicious websites, see our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/.

What to do if you have already interacted

If you've received a booking confirmation email but haven't paid: do not send money. Delete the conversation and report the listing immediately to the platform you found it on. If you've already paid a deposit via bank transfer, contact your bank immediately — explain you've been scammed and ask if the payment can be reversed or recalled. Your bank can freeze the account if it's still active. If you paid via PayPal, log in, go to Resolution Centre, and report the transaction as 'unauthorised' or 'fraudulent.' If you paid via a third-party money transfer app (Wise, Revolut, etc.), contact their support team urgently as some transfers can be stopped within hours of sending. If you've shared personal details (passport scan, driving licence, address), watch for signs of identity theft: monitor your credit file via Clearscore or Experian, check your bank statements for unauthorised activity, and consider a fraud alert with Cifas. Report the scam to Action Fraud and the platform where you found the listing.

Reporting this scam in the UK

Report to Action Fraud immediately by calling 0300 123 2040 (lines open 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm weekends) or use their online form at actionfraud.police.uk. Have your booking confirmation, payment receipts, and messages with the scammer ready. Report the fake listing to the platform itself — Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo have dedicated scam reporting tools within their apps and websites. If you suspect identity theft following the scam, contact Cifas and add a fraud alert to your file. Report any phishing emails to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. If you paid via SMS-based payment, forward the scam message to 7726. For wider advice on scams and your rights as a consumer, contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 (free, confidential). Share details of the scam with friends and family — letting others know prevents further victims.

Frequently asked questions