A short-term rental or similar arrangement offers the chance for a unique look at your vacation destination, gives easy access to surrounding landmarks and serves as a private spot to call your own for a few days, or weeks. Unfortunately, these lodgings aren’t always super safe.
From finding hidden cameras to losing nearly $100,000 from theft, unfortunate travelers have found that Airbnbs and other rentals have their risks. It’s important to be prepared. And though checking out reviews and ratings can help (and is always a key first step), we’re taking things further with tech-friendly ways you can protect yourself and your belongings while renting it up.
Read more: Home Security Systems Made to Easily Pack and Move With You
Be careful of hidden cameras whenever you’re renting.
Run a quick check for hidden cameras
Unfortunately it’s not an urban myth: It’s become distressingly common to discover spy cameras hidden in Airbnbs. It may be both against the rental rules and highly illegal, but that doesn’t stop people. You can do a check in only a few minutes to quickly spot any hidden cameras — then deal with any and get on with your vacation.
We have a comprehensive guide on the best ways to find Airbnb hidden cams, and it’s well worth your time. You can download apps to spot lens glare; check common spots like smoke detectors or vents; and look at device connections to see if any unknown devices are nearby.
Use only trustworthy apps and digital wallets for payment
When you’re paying for your staying, always use the official app to complete money transfers. For Airbnb, that’s the Airbnb app itself. Hotels and other rentals often have their own official payment portals, too. Never trust a place that asks you to use a third-party payment app like Venmo or PayPal — it’s one of the most common types of short-term rental scams.
This advice extends to the other payments you make on vacation, too. When possible, leave physical cards (which can be stolen or skimmed) at home and use the digital wallet on your phone, like Apple Pay or Google Pay. It’s generally safer than carrying around cash or traveler’s checks, too. If you’re worried about tipping, many places, including hotels and rentals, have payment apps or digital tipping options you can use.
Apple Pay and other digital wallets are much safer than credit cards.
Look up local news, alerts and crime reports
It’s surprising what a little online searching can reveal. If you’re heading to a destination hot spot, take a couple of minutes to research the area and look up recent news, crime stories and alerts about vacationers being targeted or sketchy local rentals.
This is an easy way to see if there are scams or thefts focused on visitors, what rental spots may have a bad reputation, and whether there’s any crime news you should know about. You may get an idea of habits to adopt or places to avoid if you want to keep your belongings to yourself.
If you’re worried about crime, though, we don’t suggest bringing any kind of weapon along with you. Among other considerations, laws about traveling with weapons vary greatly, and it can make things even worse if local authorities get involved. If you feel unsafe, you can consider taking a small can of mace or pepper spray.
If lack of deadbolts makes you nervous, you can bring your own extra lock with Addalock.
Contact your host and ask about locks and security
Ahead of your trip, message your host or their customer service contact and ask about the locks at your rental. Short-term rentals and small hostels don’t always adhere to the same strict lock policies that hotels have. Any rental should at least have a deadbolt in place on the door, preferably a smart lock version with codes or digital passes you can use. Upscale places may have card readers, but that isn’t guaranteed.
If you can’t get much information about access security, or you’re worried about finding a flimsy doorknob when you arrive, you do have another option: Products like Addalock ($18) let you bring your own portable door lock along to protect any standard knob or lever door, ideal for side doors without much protection or a frightening front door situation.
Boot up a VPN before hopping online
Internet connections are common at Airbnbs, but you can’t exactly trust them. It can be very easy for someone to snoop on these Wi-Fi networks, especially if they aren’t protected (or if the owner is invasive). Bring along your own encryption by using a third-party or browser VPN whenever you hop online. Today’s VPNs work with smartphones and laptops alike, and you can even whitelist some sites for faster performance if necessary.
Use that VPN when you’re out and about, too. Public Wi-Fi data thieves aren’t that common, but when they creep up, they often target tourists.
A fingerprint padlock is affordable, speedy and can stop theft in its tracks.
Bring along a padlock
We’ve discussed before how a smart fingerprint padlock is a great way to stop roommates from stealing your food. But these locks also excel at protecting your luggage and are far more effective than flimsy luggage locks. In a pinch, you may be able to use them to lock drawers or cabinets where you’re keeping important belongings. These locks only cost around $30 so it won’t break your vacay budget.
As a rule, when heading out from your rental, pack any electronic gadgets into drawers or your luggage and lock them away. Remember, most tourist-related thefts are crimes of opportunity, so if your valuables are locked away, they’re far more likely to stay safe.
Read more: Burglars and the Threat of Wi-Fi Security Jammers: We’ve Got the Details
Put a tracker on your luggage
If your luggage doesn’t already have a tracker, now’s the perfect time to get one. An AirTag, Tile or SmartTag tracker is an affordable way to always know where your luggage is, and you can slip one into any pocket you want. That includes your own pockets, if you want loved ones to always be able to find you when you head out for a local stroll!
An extra-powerful flashlight has all kinds of uses when you’re on vacation.
Pack an ultrabright flashlight
There’s a reason why a sturdy flashlight is the most important tool in a security guard’s kit. Bright flashlights not only make nighttime walks less dangerous, they also allow you to scope out any dark rooms if you’re feeling nervous. If you get in a dangerous situation, a blinding light to the eyes can be a surprisingly effective defense, and unlike mace or pepper spray, it works at a distance. Oh, and you can use a flashlight if the power goes out, too.
If you don’t mind a higher investment, this 13,000-lumen Imalent flashlight ($130) is small enough to fit in a pocket and easily rechargeable. If you’re more budget-minded, this 1,200-lumen light is available for under $40.
Bonus tip: Choose rentals with lockboxes
It isn’t always an option, but when possible, pick an Airbnb or other rental that advertises a lockbox or visitor-friendly safe. It’s a great security amenity, and it lets you skip a few of the above steps.
For more on security when you’re on vacation, review our complete security checklist for before you leave, our trip checklist for while you’re packing and the best tips to deter break-ins and burglars.
