Times Square Costume + CD "Free" Scam
Times Square in New York City is North America's most concentrated tourist-scam zone. Multiple parallel scams operate 24/7: (1) costumed characters (Elmo, Statue of Liberty, Minnie Mouse) who pose for photos then aggressively demand $20-50 tips, (2) hip-hop artists who hand you their "free" CD then demand $20 payment, (3) three-card monte street games where accomplices ensure you lose. None are illegal enough for NYPD to enforce consistently, but all are documented predatory behavior.
How the scam works
- 1COSTUMED CHARACTER SCAM: You walk through Times Square. A person dressed as Elmo/Minnie/Statue of Liberty approaches for a photo. Photo taken by their accomplice with your phone.
- 2Character then demands $20-50 "tip" — often aggressively, sometimes surrounded by 2-3 other costumed characters as intimidation
- 3CD SCAM: A person in a hoodie hands you a CD. "It's a gift! I'm a rapper, take it as promotion!"
- 4You accept the CD. They immediately: "That'll be $20." When you try to return it: "No refunds, you touched it."
- 5THREE-CARD MONTE: You watch a small crowd around a folding table. Someone bets and wins big. You bet + always lose. Winners are all accomplices.
- 6AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING: "Give me $5 for my sick child" — often accompanied by a companion who steps in front of you if you try to walk away
Red flags — how to spot it early
- ⚠Costumed characters approaching you rather than waiting for approach
- ⚠Anyone offering "free" CDs, mixtapes, or samples
- ⚠Small crowds gathered around a folding card table
- ⚠People asking you to hold their child, luggage, or phone briefly
- ⚠Anyone offering "watch demonstrations" or "sample perfumes"
- ⚠Panhandlers who follow you after you decline
How to avoid it
- NEVER accept anything (CD, sample, brochure, flyer) from anyone in Times Square. Once you touch it, the "payment demand" starts.
- For photos with characters: agree on price BEFORE photo ("$5 for the photo?"). Photograph before agreement if possible.
- Ignore three-card monte tables + all street games. NYPD occasionally raids these but they reappear.
- Walk with confidence + purpose. Predators target hesitant, slow-moving, or gawking tourists.
- Keep phone in front pocket (not back). Times Square has documented smartphone snatch-theft.
- For real hip-hop/music discovery: NYC has legitimate underground venues (Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Ballroom) — buy CDs there.
If it happens to you
- →Costumed character demanding tip: refuse loudly. Say "I'm calling NYPD." Most back off immediately.
- →CD scam: put the CD back in their hand, say "no thank you" loudly, walk away. If they persist, walk to a nearby police officer.
- →Three-card monte: NEVER play. If you already lost: no recovery possible.
- →Aggressive panhandler: walk into a nearby chain store (McDonald's, Starbucks). They can't follow. Wait 5 min then leave.
- →Report persistent scammers to NYPD Times Square substation at 1560 Broadway (open 24/7). Officers do enforce against aggressive costumed characters.
Documented in the wild
- ·NYPD Times Square Substation issues periodic warnings 2015-2026
- ·NYC City Council passed 2014 ordinance requiring costumed characters to accept "reasonable" tips only — enforcement weak
- ·r/nyc + r/travel have 20+ reports monthly of costumed character + CD scam incidents
Frequently asked
Are Times Square costumed characters illegal?
Not illegal but regulated since 2014 — characters must accept "reasonable" tips (typically $5-10 for a photo) but the aggressive $20-50 demands are technically against NYC ordinance. NYPD enforces sporadically. Rule of thumb: agree on price BEFORE the photo or walk away.
How much SHOULD I tip for a Times Square character photo?
$3-5 is standard. $10 is generous. $20+ is scammer demand. Discuss upfront: "How much for the photo?" — legit ones will say $3-5. Scammers will say "whatever you want" and then demand $20-50 after.
Is the three-card monte in Times Square rigged?
Always. Every "winner" you see is an accomplice. The dealer's hands are trained to appear normal while palming cards. No first-time player has ever legitimately won. Save your money.
What is the "free CD" NYC scam actually?
Someone in hip-hop attire hands you an unmarked CD claiming to be their music. Once you touch it, they demand $10-20 payment. Playing on obligation psychology + fear of confrontation. The CDs are usually blank or contain generic royalty-free music. Don't accept anything from anyone in Times Square.