20 New York City Scams to AVOID!
1. Times Square CD Scam
People will approach you in Times Square and offer you a free CD from their music group. Once you take it, they'll ask for payment and may become aggressive if you refuse. PRO TIPS: Never make any communication to them, just pretend you didn't see them and no eye contact.
2. Statue of Liberty Ticket Scam
Some street vendors will sell tickets to the Statue of Liberty at inflated prices. These tickets are often fake, so it's best to buy tickets directly from the official website. Don't Buy any tickets from anyone in the street.
3. Fake Monks
Fake monks have been a problem in various parts of the world, including New York City. These individuals often dress up in monk robes and approach people on the street, claiming to be Buddhist monks and asking for donations. However, these so-called "monks" are often not actually affiliated with any legitimate Buddhist organization and are instead scam artists looking to make a quick buck. In New York City, there have been reports of fake monks operating in tourist areas such as Times Square and Central Park. These individuals often approach tourists and ask for donations, using tactics such as offering a blessing or handing out small trinkets in exchange for money. However, it is important to note that legitimate Buddhist monks would never solicit donations in this way, and any individual claiming to be a monk and asking for money in exchange for spiritual services should be viewed with skepticism. To avoid falling victim to fake monks in New York City, it is best to be wary of any unsolicited approaches from individuals claiming to be monks and asking for money. Legitimate Buddhist temples and organizations in the city can provide information on how to spot fake monks and ensure that any donations you make go towards supporting legitimate Buddhist causes.
4. Fake Donation Scam
People may approach you asking for donations for a charity or organization. Be wary of giving money to someone on the street and always ask for identification or a website before donating.
5. Taxi Scams
Always make sure to use licensed taxis and make sure the meter is running. Some drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare, or demand a higher price upfront.
6. Hotel Phone Call Scam
scammers may call your hotel room pretending to be hotel staff and ask for your credit card information to fix a problem with your reservation. Hang up and call the front desk to verify any claims. Never give any info to anyone unless you are sure.
7. Fake Police Officer Scam
Scammers may approach you pretending to be police officers and ask to see your wallet or ID. Ask for their badge number and call the local precinct to verify their identity.
8. ATM Skimming
Be cautious when using ATMs, especially those located in less secure areas. Skimmers can be installed on the machines, which can steal your card information.
9. Street Vendor Scam
Food cart vendor scams can occur in New York City, where there are many food vendors on the streets. Here are a few examples of common food cart vendor scams:
1. Shortchanging: Some vendors may intentionally give customers less change than they are owed, hoping that the customer will not notice. To avoid falling victim to this scam, always count your change carefully and double-check the price of your order.
4. Health violations: Some food vendors may not follow proper food safety regulations, which could result in food poisoning or other health risks. To avoid falling victim to this scam, look for vendors who have proper food licenses and certifications and who follow proper food safety procedures.
10. Tourist Guide Scam
Some people may pose as tourist guides and offer to show you around the city for a fee. They may take you to places that are not worth seeing or charge you for services that are usually free.
11. Pickpocketing
New York City is a busy city, and pickpockets often target tourists. Keep your belongings close to you, and don't leave your bag or wallet unattended in crowded areas. Be careful with your surroundings.
12. Ticket Scalping
Scammers may approach you outside of popular events and sell you fake or overpriced tickets. Always buy tickets from official sources, and be cautious when buying from strangers.
13. Overpriced Souvenirs
Some souvenir shops in tourist areas may sell overpriced items or fake goods. Always shop around and compare prices before making a purchase.
14. The Broken Camera Scam
Scammers may approach you on the street asking you to take their picture. They may hand you a camera that appears to be broken, and then demand payment for the damage. Always be cautious when taking photos for strangers and never hand over your own camera. It can be happed that someone try to scams you on dropping food or other goods. So, it that situations don't argue and try to be confident.
15. Fake Parking Tickets
Scammers may place fake parking tickets on your car that look like official city tickets. They will then ask you to pay a fine, which is often higher than the actual fine. Always check the ticket carefully and verify it with the city before paying any fines.
16. Jewelry Scam
Scammers may approach you on the street and offer to sell you jewelry at a discount price. They will show you a real piece of jewelry, but when you agree to buy it, they will switch it with a fake one. Always be wary of street vendors selling jewelry and only buy from reputable dealers.
17. Broken Taxi Meter
Some taxi drivers may claim that their meter is broken and charge you a flat rate for the ride, which is often much higher than the metered rate. Always make sure the meter is running and check the fare before getting in.
18. Staten Island Ferry Ticket Scam
The Staten Island Ferry is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, offering stunning views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. However, like many other popular tourist destinations, the Staten Island Ferry has been the target of scams, including ticket scams. One common ticket scam involves individuals selling fake Staten Island Ferry tickets to unsuspecting tourists. These scammers will approach tourists near the ferry terminal and offer to sell them tickets at a discounted rate. However, these tickets are often fake or have already been used, leaving tourists stranded and out of pocket. To avoid falling victim to the Staten Island Ferry ticket scam, it is important to only purchase tickets from authorized vendors, such as the ticket booths located at the ferry terminal. These vendors will provide genuine Staten Island Ferry tickets at the correct price. Additionally, it is important to be wary of any individuals selling tickets on the street or offering discounts that seem too good to be true. If you do happen to purchase a fake Staten Island Ferry ticket, you should report the incident to the police and seek a refund through your credit card company or bank. Additionally, you can contact the Staten Island Ferry customer service department for assistance in resolving the issue.
19. Costume character scams
Costume character scams are a common problem in tourist areas of New York City, such as Times Square. Scammers dress up in popular character costumes, such as Elmo or Spiderman, and offer to take photos with tourists in exchange for money. However, these individuals are often not authorized or licensed by the trademark owners of the characters they are impersonating, and they may demand more money than originally agreed upon or steal money from their clients.
20. Subway card scams
Scammers may approach tourists near subway entrances and offer to sell them a used or expired MetroCard at a discounted price. To avoid falling victim to this scam, only purchase MetroCards from official vending machines or authorized vendors.
So, these are the scams you should be aware of and always look you surrounding. I hope you will have a wonderful time in NEW YORK CITY. Feel Free to check out my YouTube Channel for regular updates from NYC.
The home for unique & authentic travel
