Browse 4 verified travel scam reports from New York City, United States, submitted by real travelers. Know the local scams before you visit.
📍 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.
📍 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.
📍 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.
📍 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.