Commons NYC Scams: How To Spot, How to Avoid

While the days of 3-card monte are mostly gone, there are still many scams aimed at tourists. Use common sense and these guidelines:

1. If someone approaches you first → assume sales or scam.
2. Nothing is free on NYC sidewalks.
3. Never give strangers your phone or card.
4. Ignore aggressive street interactions.

• The #1 tourist scam in New York City is one you may encounter before you even set foot in Manhattan. As you exit the airport’s arrivals area, you’ll often be approached by individuals offering discounted taxi rides or urging you to skip the official taxi line. These solicitors are not licensed drivers and accepting their offer can lead to inflated fares, unsafe vehicles, or payment disputes.

Avoid it: Always ignore unsolicited ride offers and follow signs for the official taxi stand or approved rideshare pickup areas. NYC taxi drivers will NOT approach you soliciting rides.

Other commons scams include:

• The “Free CD” or Street Performer Scam where someone hands you a "free" cd or mixtape. If you accept, they aggressively demand money.

Avoid it: Never take anything handed to you on the street. No need to engage with anyone, just keep walking.

• Same thing, only this time it's men dressed as monk's trying to give you a bracelet or charm and then demand a donation. Same advice as above.

Avoid it: Never take anything handed to you on the street. No need to engage with anyone, just keep walking.

• Another common scam is someone with a clipboard approaches you, claiming to raise money for deaf people, kids, or veterans. Spoiler alert: they are not a legitimate organization.

Avoid it: Donate online directly to known organizations. Do not engage, just keep walking.

• You see them in Times Square, Fifth Avenue and other tourist hot spots, selling discount AirPods, iPhones, or cameras or "designer" wares. Guess what? They're fakes and you just bought garbage.

Avoid it: Only buy electronics/items from real stores or official retailers.

• Pedicabs are all over the Central Park & Times Square area. Your feet hurt and you figure why not? Because you will get ripped off big time. Tdriver will quote a cheap price and then overinflated the final bill, sometimes by hundred of dollars.

Avoid it: Do not take a pedicab. Take public transportation or a cab.

As soon as you get close to Battery Park, you will encounter fake “official” vendors selling tickets. You either get overpriced boat rides or something different than promised. Some even sell tickets for the free Staten Island Ferry. 

Avoid it: Buy only from official ticket booths or online (City Experiences).