New Orleans Scams to Avoid in 2026 (USA)
New Orleans' Bourbon Street sees watered-down drink scams, shoe-shining cons where a stranger polishes your shoes then demands payment, and fake psychic readers targeting tourists.
Street Scams scams are the most documented risk in New Orleans — 5 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 5 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
French Quarter ATM Skimmer
ATMs in bars and convenience stores throughout the French Quarter are frequently targeted with skimming devices, particularly on weekends during large events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. The high cash culture of the area makes tourists prime targets.
📍ATMs inside bars and convenience stores along Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and standalone kiosks near the Frenchmen Street music venues in the Marigny neighborhood
How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches rather than convenience store or bar ATMs. Withdraw cash for the night before entering the French Quarter rather than using machines inside establishments. Check for any loose or unusual attachments on the card reader before inserting your card.
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New Orleans · USA · North America
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in New Orleans
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
French Quarter ATM Skimmer
ATMs inside bars and convenience stores along Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and standalone kiosks near the Frenchmen Street music venues in the Marigny neighborhood
Fake Event Ticket & Vacation Rental Fraud
Primarily targets visitors booking for Mardi Gras season (January–March) and Jazz Fest (late April–early May); listings often reference addresses near the French Quarter, Garden District, or on St. Charles Avenue
Taxi Overcharge from Louis Armstrong Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) ground transportation area on Airline Dr in Kenner, and the taxi queue outside the arrivals level
Unlicensed Tour Guide in the French Quarter
Outside St Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo on Jackson Square, near the Old Ursuline Convent on Chartres Street, the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street, and departure points for ghost tours around Bourbon and St Ann Streets after dark
Fake Voodoo Curse Removal
Jackson Square in the French Quarter near the St Louis Cathedral, the tarot card and psychic reader area along the St Ann Street fence of Jackson Square, and the pedestrian stretch of Royal Street near St Peter Street
Fake Buddhist Monk Bead Blessing
Jackson Square on Decatur Street near St. Peter Street, and along the Mississippi Riverfront boardwalk near the Moonwalk
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Street-level scams are most common in New Orleans
5 documented street scams target tourists near major attractions. Unsolicited approaches, "free" gifts, and distraction techniques are the main patterns — confidence and pace help.
How it works
ATMs in bars and convenience stores throughout the French Quarter are frequently targeted with skimming devices, particularly on weekends during large events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. The high cash culture of the area makes tourists prime targets.
How it works
Fraudulent listings for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and French Quarter Festival accommodations appear on Craigslist and lesser-known booking platforms, often using photos stolen from legitimate Airbnb or VRBO listings. Victims pay hundreds to thousands of dollars upfront via wire transfer or Zelle, then arrive to find no rental exists or a property that looks nothing like advertised. Ticket scams follow the same pattern, with fake Mardi Gras parade viewing balcony packages and Jazz Fest tickets sold via social media DMs.
How it works
Some taxi and limousine drivers at MSY airport charge tourists flat rates significantly above the regulated zone fares, knowing first-time visitors are unaware of the official pricing structure. They may also claim credit card machines are broken to force cash payments.
How it works
Individuals outside popular attractions claim to be licensed historical or ghost tour guides, collect fees from small groups, and deliver inaccurate or incomplete tours. They may disappear mid-tour or pressure tourists for additional tips throughout.
How it works
Individuals near Jackson Square, particularly around the tarot card reader section, approach tourists and claim they have a curse on them or their family. They offer to remove it for a fee, starting at $20 but escalating through multiple "required" rituals to hundreds of dollars.
How it works
Individuals dressed in saffron robes and posing as Buddhist monks approach tourists near Jackson Square and along the riverfront, placing plastic Mardi Gras-style beads around visitors' necks and offering a laminated "blessing card." Once the beads are on, they immediately demand $10–$40 as a "donation," becoming persistent and aggressive if refused. The beads have no religious significance and the individuals are not ordained monks.
How it works
Near busy pickup zones outside Harrah's Casino on Canal Street and along Bourbon Street at night, individuals without rideshare apps approach tourists waiting for Uber or Lyft and claim to be their driver. They quote a flat cash rate to the hotel or airport, often significantly higher than the app fare, and may drive passengers in unmarked or personal vehicles with no insurance or regulatory oversight. Some impersonators physically intercept passengers as they approach a legitimate rideshare vehicle.
How it works
On Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, individuals approach tourists and make an unsolicited bet: "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes." The answer is always "on your feet, in New Orleans." The tourist is then pressured to pay $10-$20 for the shine plus the bet regardless of whether they agreed.
How it works
On Bourbon Street, a stranger says "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes." The answer is "on your feet, in New Orleans" — and suddenly the stranger is shining your shoes and demanding $20. It is a trick, not a compliment.
How it works
Daiquiri bars along Bourbon Street quote low prices for drinks but use souvenir cup upgrades and automatic refill charges that inflate the final bill. Some bars add a "Bourbon Street entertainment fee" or charge per person simply for standing in front of the establishment.
How it works
In the French Quarter, some street musicians play near tourists eating at outdoor tables or standing on sidewalks, then aggressively demand payment, claiming tourists were in their "performance space." Some work in groups and surround tourists who do not pay.
New Orleans Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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Filter scams in New Orleans by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the North America region. Before visiting Boston, Tulum, and Atlanta, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for New Orleans are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →