New York City Tourist Scams
USA
NYC scams cluster in Times Square + Central Park + Statue of Liberty ferry area. Costumed character shakedowns + fake CD sellers + Statue of Liberty ticket scams. Pickpocketing on subway is real but less than European capitals.
Costumed character photo → aggressive tip demand
Elmo, Mickey, or costumed character invites photo.
After photo, demands USD 10-50 "tip". Aggressive if refused.
- ✓Don't take photos with costumed characters unless you've agreed price BEFORE clicking.
- →Pay USD 1-2 + leave. NYPD unwilling to intervene unless assaulted.
Fake rapper "free CD" scam
Man in Times Square hands you a rap CD "as a gift".
Once you take the CD, demands USD 5-20 as "support the artist". Sometimes writes your name on it (harder to give back).
- ✓Don't take anything from strangers in Times Square.
- →Hand the CD back + walk away.
Fake Statue of Liberty ticket sellers
Tout at Battery Park sells "Statue of Liberty ticket".
Real tickets are ONLY sold via Statue City Cruises (statuecitycruises.com) or in-person at Castle Clinton. Fake tickets don't get you on the actual ferry.
- ✓ONLY book via statuecitycruises.com.
- →File complaint with NYC Consumer Affairs: 311.
New York City emergency contacts
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