Airbnb has urged holidaymakers to be vigilant amid the potential for AI-generated images of holiday properties to be mistaken for the real thing.

Research from Airbnb and Get Safe Online said that scams related to booking holidays were among the most common types of fraud in the UK, just behind credit card fraud and phishing scams.

Alongside that, the holiday rental company said AI and social media were causing additional problems for consumers.

In a survey, 68% of those asked said they were confident they could spot a fake advert for a holiday.

This was despite the fact that nearly two-thirds were unable to spot AI-generated images of holiday properties when they were shown.

Airbnb said it was publishing the figures to coincide with what its data says is now the busiest window for booking Easter breaks.

In response, the property rental firm has issued a range of safety tips alongside Get Safe Online to help people avoid holiday scams.

Airbnb offers tips to avoid holiday property scams

Tips offered included urging users to never click on unexpected links, always report suspected scams and be wary of unusually cheap deals or high deposits.

It also encourages users to avoid paying for trips by direct bank transfer, stick to trusted platforms to book and pay and ensure their online accounts are secure with a strong password and multifactor authentication.

Amanda Cupples, general manager of UK and Northern Europe for Airbnb, said: “As people look to plan their Easter break, holidaymakers should remain vigilant when browsing for their trips.

“New technologies are fast emerging and using trusted platforms to book, pay and communicate is the best way to beat potential fraudsters.

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“We have safeguards in place to protect stays booked on Airbnb, including secure payment processes and support measures like AirCover.”

Get Safe Online chief executive, Tony Neate, said: “As you seek out deals when securing your hard-earned break away, as the research shows, this year it’s more important than ever to stay alert when it comes to booking a holiday.

“When it comes to payment, always pay on a trusted platform, which will provide better protection than parting with your money to someone you don’t know. And trust your instincts – if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is.”