Accommodation Scams in Maui, USA
Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud. Below are the accommodation scams scams reported in Maui — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like New York, Tijuana, and Cozumel.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
1
Accommodation Scams Scams
11
Total in Maui
How it works
Since the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire eliminated thousands of housing units and triggered a countywide short-term rental crackdown, scammers have exploited the resulting supply shortage by listing non-existent or unavailable properties on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Craigslist at inflated prices. Fake listings frequently use stolen photos of legitimate Maui properties and demand wire transfers or Zelle payments to "hold" the rental outside the platform. Maui County's phased elimination of up to 7,000 short-term rental permits has also resulted in legitimate-seeming listings for properties whose permits have lapsed, leaving visitors with no legal right to occupy the unit.
See all scams in Maui
11 total warnings across all categories