Browse 8 verified travel scam reports from United States, submitted by real travelers. Learn about the most common scams and stay one step ahead before you go.
📍 New York City, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 28 November 2025
📝 Reported: 21 August 2026
A guy in a yellow rain jacket approached us at JFK baggage claim saying "taxi?" and took us to a black car. $120 flat to Manhattan, no meter, no license visible — and he drove aggressively the whole way. Official taxis are only at the marked stands.
🗓️ Scam date: 14 April 2026
📝 Reported: 18 August 2026
Taxi from the airport to the Strip took the tunnel "to avoid traffic" and the fare hit $38 for a trip that should be about $20. The driver acted offended when I mentioned the tunnel. Say "no tunnel, take Swenson" or use rideshare.
🗓️ Scam date: 11 September 2025
📝 Reported: 25 May 2026
We accepted "free tickets + breakfast" and lost the whole morning to a high-pressure timeshare presentation. The salesman got angry when we said no. There are no free tickets in Vegas — your time is the price.
📍 New York City, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 30 March 2026
📝 Reported: 24 February 2026
An Elmo grabbed my kid for a photo, then a "manager" demanded $40 because "the costume is licensed". There were three of them around us. This is the most reported scam in Times Square — say no, keep walking.
🗓️ Scam date: 17 May 2025
📝 Reported: 23 February 2026
A rapper on Hollywood Boulevard pushed a "free" CD into my hands and signed it. Then: "$20 tip, it's how we eat". When I tried to return it, he refused. They swarm you in groups. Don't touch anything offered on the Walk of Fame.
📍 New York City, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 23 January 2026
📝 Reported: 15 February 2026
I booked a "5-star Manhattan hotel" through a site that looked like the official one. Paid $640, the confirmation never came, and the real hotel had no record. The site is gone now. Book directly with the hotel or through known platforms.
📍 Washington DC, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 8 March 2026
📝 Reported: 13 February 2026
The first Google result for "ESTA application" charged $89 "processing fee". The real official site is $21. The visa itself was valid but the site is a reseller — dozens of them exist. Only use the official .gov site.
📍 New York City, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 2 August 2025
📝 Reported: 12 December 2025
A "monk" in Times Square tied a bracelet on my wrist "for peace" and asked for a donation "to build a temple in Nepal". When I offered $1 he demanded $20 and showed a list of "suggested donations". It's a racket — keep walking.