Stay safe when you book
Big events attract scammers. Gardaí have warned about fake accommodation for the Ryder Cup. A few simple checks protect you.
Before you pay anything
- Talk to the host. A phone or video call costs nothing and tells you a lot. Ask them to show you the property on video if you can't visit.
- Get the exact address and check it on a map and on Street View. Make sure it matches the photos.
- Prefer ID-verified hosts. Look for the "ID verified" badge. It means the host proved who they are with photo ID.
- Agree everything in writing: dates, total price, what's included, deposit, cancellation terms and check-in details. An email is fine.
How to pay
- Pay a deposit, not the full amount, until close to your stay.
- Use a card or a payment link (for example Stripe, PayPal Goods & Services or Revolut), which give you some protection.
- Avoid bank transfers to people you haven't spoken to, and never pay with gift cards, crypto or money transfer services.
- Be wary of pressure ("three other people want it, pay today") or prices far below similar places.
Red flags
- The host won't talk on the phone or video.
- They ask you to pay outside the arrangement you agreed, or to a different name.
- The photos appear elsewhere online under a different address (try a reverse image search).
- They ask for your passport or bank login.
Something feels wrong? Use the "Report this listing" link on the listing page, or contact us. We review every report and remove listings that break our rules. If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away and report it to An Garda Síochána.
What we do
- We review every listing before it goes live, and re-check listings that change.
- We block phone numbers, emails and links in listings, so contact only happens after a host accepts.
- Guests confirm their email and hosts sign in with a verified email; hosts can verify their ID.
- We never take payment for your stay, so we can't refund it. That's why these checks matter.