Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Manhattan, United States
1. Times Square Pedi-Cab Scam
Avoid overpriced rides and false guides in Times Square by only taking licensed yellow taxis or walking to your destination.
- Price Gouging: Pedicabs often charge touristy rates that are much higher than regular taxi fares.
- False Guides: Some pedi-cab drivers may try to act as unofficial guides, leading you to overpriced shops.
- Unlicensed Operators: Not all pedicabs are licensed and insured, posing a risk for accidents.
2. Central Park Fake Ticket Scam
Beware of fake ticket sellers at Central Park attractions like the Central Park Zoo or the Delacorte Theater. Always buy tickets directly from official venues.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Fake tickets may not grant you access to attractions.
- Overpriced Tickets: Unauthorized sellers often charge significantly more than official ticket prices.
- Unscrupulous Vendors: Some vendors may use aggressive or misleading sales tactics.
3. Subway Busking Scam
In the subway, be cautious when donating to musicians and performers who may demand more than they've earned or overplay their instruments loudly.
- Excessive Donations: Performers may ask for excessive donations or claim a false affiliation with charities.
- Noise Pollution: Loud playing of instruments can disturb fellow passengers and create an unpleasant commute experience.
- False Performers: Some individuals may pose as performers to collect donations, but have no real talent or affiliation with a charitable organization.
4. Broadway Ticket Reselling Scam
Avoid ticket resellers on the street when purchasing Broadway tickets. Always buy from official sources like Ticketmaster or the theater box office.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Resold tickets may be fake, preventing you from accessing the show.
- Overpriced Tickets: Resellers mark up ticket prices significantly, costing tourists more than necessary.
- No Refunds or Exchanges: If the show is canceled or you cannot attend, resold tickets offer no refunds or exchanges.
5. Subway Fare Evasion Scam
Do not let strangers help you through subway turnstiles without verifying they have a valid MetroCard or ticket.
- Fare Theft: Strangers may pretend to have a valid ticket but instead pass through without paying, resulting in additional costs for honest travelers.
- Risk of Penalties: Fare evasion can lead to fines or even arrests for both the person evading and any unwitting accomplices.
- Delayed Travel: In some cases, subway personnel may detain you while checking MetroCard usage, delaying your travel plans.
6. Airport Taxi Scam
Avoid unlicensed taxis at airports. Always use official airport transportation services or pre-arranged rides from reputable companies.
- Unlicensed Drivers: Unlicensed drivers may not have proper insurance, putting you at risk in case of an accident.
- Price Gouging: Unauthorized taxi services often charge inflated rates, taking advantage of unsuspecting travelers.
- Misleading Destinations: Some drivers may take longer routes or drop you off at the wrong location to charge higher fares.
7. Street Food Scam
Be wary of street food vendors in Manhattan who use dirty or expired ingredients. Stick to well-known and busy vendors or reputable restaurants.
- Foodborne Illnesses: Consuming food from unhygienic vendors can lead to serious health problems.
- Expired Ingredients: Stale or expired ingredients can cause food poisoning and unpleasant dining experiences.
- Overpriced Food: Scammers may charge tourists more than locals for the same food item.
8. Fake Tour Guide Scam
Avoid unofficial tour guides who offer tours without proper licensing or affiliation with official tourist agencies.
- Unlicensed Guides: Unofficial guides may not have the required knowledge to provide accurate and informative tours.
- Overpriced Tours: Scammers often charge tourists significantly more for their services than official tour agencies.
- Misinformation: Some unofficial guides may provide inaccurate or misleading information about landmarks and attractions.
9. Counterfeit Goods Scam
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods from street vendors in Manhattan. Not only are these items illegal, but they can also be of poor quality and dangerous.
- Illegal Items: Counterfeit goods violate intellectual property rights and are subject to legal consequences.
- Poor Quality: Fake items may break or wear out quickly, wasting your money and leaving you without a usable product.
- Health Risks: Counterfeit electronics can pose fire hazards, while counterfeit clothing may contain harmful substances like lead or asbestos.
10. ATM Skimming Scam
Be cautious when using ATMs in Manhattan, especially those located outside of banks or in secluded areas. Always cover the keypad and check the machine for any suspicious add-ons.
- ATM Skimming: Skimmers are devices that capture your card information, allowing thieves to access your account.
- Card Trapping: Some skimmers are designed to keep your card in the machine after it has been inserted, making it easier for thieves to steal your information.
- Keypad Shoulder Surfing: Thieves may watch you enter your PIN to later use that information for fraudulent transactions.
11. Wi-Fi Theft Scam
Be wary of public Wi-Fi networks in Manhattan. They may not be secure and can give hackers access to your personal information.
- Data Interception: Hackers can intercept your data, such as login credentials or credit card numbers.
- Malware Infection: Public Wi-Fi networks can be infected with malware that installs on your device without your knowledge.
- Identity Theft: Hackers can use the information they collect to commit identity theft, opening accounts and making unauthorized transactions in your name.
12. Graffiti Art Scam
Beware of individuals offering graffiti art on the streets of Manhattan. They may use low-quality materials or overcharge tourists for their services.
- Low-Quality Materials: Scammers may use cheap or low-quality spray paint, resulting in artwork that fades quickly.
- Overpriced Services: These artists often charge tourists more than locals for the same service.
- Illegal Graffiti: Graffiti is illegal in many areas of Manhattan, and police may issue fines or arrest scofflaws.
13. Bait-and-Switch Scam
Be cautious when shopping in some stores in Manhattan, as some may use the bait-and-switch tactic to sell cheaper items.
- Misrepresented Items: Stores may display more expensive or high-quality items but sell lower-quality alternatives instead.
- Price Discrepancies: Prices on the shelf or displayed may differ from the actual price at the cash register.
- Unwanted Add-Ons: Stores may add extra charges for items you did not agree to purchase during the transaction.
14. Misleading Donation Boxes Scam
Be cautious when donating in public places in Manhattan. Some boxes may be designed to collect money for scammers rather than charities.
- Fraudulent Charities: Scammers may create fake charity organizations or use donations for personal gain.
- Lack of Transparency: There is no way to verify if the money goes to the intended charity, as there are no receipts or records provided.
- Overcollection: Scammers may collect donations excessively, leaving little for actual charitable efforts.
15. Fake Petition Scam
Avoid signing petitions in Manhattan from strangers or people collecting signatures on the street. They may be part of a scam or fraudulent campaign.
- False Petitions: Some fake petitioners may collect signatures for personal gain, political deception, or identity theft.
- Unverified Information: You have no way of verifying if the information provided on the petition is accurate or trustworthy.
- Identity Theft: Providing personal information, such as your name and address, can make you vulnerable to identity theft.