by InTrieste
In an era where digital proficiency is often taken for granted, a surprising trend has emerged: Gen Z and Millennials, the very cohorts often deemed as digital natives, are proving to be the most vulnerable to online scams. This phenomenon spans from credit card fraud to phishing attacks on social media, as highlighted by recent data from the State Police and Airbnb.
The Rise of Online Fraud
Online scams are on the rise, an unsettling trend as highlighted in the 2023 Report by the Postal Police and Cyber Security Division. The past year alone saw a 6% increase in online fraud attempts in Italy, with the amount of money stolen soaring from €114 million to €137 million—a staggering 20% rise. Airbnb, in its own vigilance, identified and blocked 2,500 phishing sites within the last 12 months. Despite being born and raised in the digital age, younger generations are alarmingly less cautious about online security.
Consumerismo, a consumer advocacy group, found that 1 in 5 Italians have been victims of online shopping scams. This figure escalates to 33.1% among those aged 25-34, suggesting that 1 in 3 young Italians has fallen into e-commerce traps. This vulnerability isn’t unique to Italy; similar patterns are evident across Europe.
Vulnerabilities Across Europe
In the United Kingdom, individuals aged 18 to 34 are more frequently scammed than any other age group, with over a third (34%) uncertain about where to seek help if defrauded. In Spain, while a majority of Baby Boomers (60%), Gen X (55%), and Millennials (56%) employ different passwords for each online account, only half of Gen Z follows this practice.
The Netherlands presents another point of concern: nearly a third of users aged 18-24 (31%) and 25-34 (33%) are willing to pay for vacations via bank transfer, a significantly less secure method, compared to just 14% of those aged 55-64 and over 65. In France, almost a quarter (23%) of users would use a social network to pay for or book holiday accommodations, a method rife with opportunities for scammers to exploit.
Dispelling Myths
Contrary to the common perception that Baby Boomers are the primary victims of fraud, Millennials are increasingly admitting their propensity to make risky, impulsive purchases if it means saving money. This age group is more likely to agree to deals outside of reliable booking platforms, exposing themselves to greater risks. Their casual approach to social media, frequented daily, may also contribute to their susceptibility to scams.
Valentina Reino, Head of Institutional Relations at Airbnb Italy, emphasized the importance of secure transactions within the platform: “We are in the peak booking period; this initiative aims to help people understand the warning signs to watch for and the best practices to adopt. When booking on Airbnb, we encourage our guests to communicate, book, and pay only on the platform, where transactions are secure and they can also rely on AirCover, our insurance program protecting hosts and guests. The vast majority of scam attempts occur off our site.”
A Call for Vigilance
Massimo Bruno, Chief of the State Police and Director of the Financial Cybercrime Division, echoed this sentiment: “In recent years, there has been a constant increase in online financial crimes, with the Postal Police handling over 16,000 cases in 2023 alone, including those related to vacation home bookings, packages, and travel tickets. Although most scams occur outside of travel booking platforms, significant instances are also observed in this sector, especially during peak vacation planning periods. These types of scams can be recognized and avoided with adequate and constant user awareness efforts, and the Postal Police is fully committed to this. We, therefore, appreciate and renew our collaboration with Airbnb in preventing these crimes.”
Practical Tips to Stay Safe Online
- Verify Website Addresses: Always ensure you are on the official platform by using the Airbnb app or directly visiting their website (www.airbnb.com).
- Avoid Clicking Unknown Links: Be cautious with social media links. Verify the legitimacy of messages and posts before interacting.
- Be Skeptical of Unrealistic Offers: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take the time to examine the details and existing reviews of any listing.
- Never Pay by Bank Transfer: Use credit cards, which offer more protection. Requests for payment via bank transfer, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards are likely scams.
- Stick to the Platform: Book, pay, and communicate only through Airbnb to ensure protection and support.
- Check Reviews: Reviews provide valuable insights. Read them thoroughly and use the platform’s messaging system to ask hosts questions.
- Communicate with Hosts: Before traveling, contact the host to finalize arrival details and address any important needs. Report non-responsiveness to customer service.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Use Airbnb’s internal messaging and flagging system to report any questionable listings or messages. Immediate contact with customer service is crucial if you’ve made an off-site payment.
