North America·USA·Updated May 3, 2026

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.

Risk Index

6.2

out of 10

Scams

14

documented

High Severity

2

14% of total

6.2

Risk Index

14

Scams

2

High Risk

New Orleans has 14 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated high. The most commonly reported risks are Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras, Drink Spiking on Bourbon Street, Fake Event Ticket & Vacation Rental Fraud.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in New Orleans

New Orleans has 14 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around street scams (5 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras — Fraudulent short-term rental listings surge around Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and Essence Fest. Travellers familiar with New York or Tijuana will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in North America, though the specific local variations in New Orleans are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Listings marketed as French Quarter (near Jackson Square), Garden District (near St. Charles Ave streetcar), and Marigny Triangle; scam volume peaks November–February for Mardi Gras bookings; Bourbon Street between Canal St and St. Ann St (the densest bar block), Frenchmen Street jazz clubs in the Marigny, and club venues on Decatur St; 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. A separate but related pattern is Drink Spiking on Bourbon Street: Drink spiking incidents — most commonly with GHB — are well-documented on Bourbon Street and in the surrounding French Quarter club scene. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Book only through platforms with verified host badges and secure payment systems. Never wire money or pay via Zelle directly to a host. For Mardi Gras bookings, confirm your reservation at least 60 days out and save the host's phone number for day-of contact.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras

Fraudulent short-term rental listings surge around Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and Essence Fest. Scammers post fake units in the French Quarter and Garden District at premium prices, collect full payment upfront, and either ghost victims before arrival or provide a locked address that does not match the listing. Demand so far exceeds supply during peak events that victims often cannot find alternative housing on arrival.

Listings marketed as French Quarter (near Jackson Square), Garden District (near St. Charles Ave streetcar), and Marigny Triangle; scam volume peaks November–February for Mardi Gras bookings

How to avoid: Book only through platforms with verified host badges and secure payment systems. Never wire money or pay via Zelle directly to a host. For Mardi Gras bookings, confirm your reservation at least 60 days out and save the host's phone number for day-of contact.

This scam type is also documented in New York and Tijuana.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in New Orleans.

Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras

Accommodation Scams

Listings marketed as French Quarter (near Jackson Square), Garden District (near St. Charles Ave streetcar), and Marigny Triangle; scam volume peaks November–February for Mardi Gras bookings

Drink Spiking on Bourbon Street

Street Scams

Bourbon Street between Canal St and St. Ann St (the densest bar block), Frenchmen Street jazz clubs in the Marigny, and club venues on Decatur St

Fake Event Ticket & Vacation Rental Fraud

Online Scams

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

French Quarter ATM Skimmer

Money & ATM Scams

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 Buddhist Monk Bead Blessing

Street Scams

Jackson Square on Decatur Street near St. Peter Street, and along the Mississippi Riverfront boardwalk near the Moonwalk

Fake Voodoo Curse Removal

Street Scams

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

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.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for New Orleans

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Book only through platforms with verified host badges and secure payment systems. Never wire money or pay via Zelle directly to a host. For Mardi Gras bookings, confirm your reservation at least 60 days out and save the host's phone number for day-of contact.
  • Keep your drink in hand at all times and never set it down unattended on a bar or table. Use the buddy system and establish a check-in plan with your group. If you begin to feel dizzy or disoriented disproportionate to your alcohol consumption, alert a trusted person immediately.
  • Book accommodations only through major platforms with verified host reviews and secure payment systems that offer buyer protection. Never pay via wire transfer, Zelle, or cash app for accommodation. For event tickets, purchase directly from official festival websites or authorized resellers only.
  • 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.
  • Politely but firmly decline any unsolicited gift or item placed on your body. If someone approaches with beads or a bracelet, hold up your hand and say no before they make contact. Real monks do not solicit money from strangers on street corners.

FAQ

New Orleans Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in New Orleans?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in New Orleans are Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras, Drink Spiking on Bourbon Street, Fake Event Ticket & Vacation Rental Fraud, with 2 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in New York and Tijuana.
Are taxis safe in New Orleans?
Taxis in New Orleans carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. The regulated taxi fare from MSY to the French Quarter is a set flat rate. Ask the driver to confirm the exact fare before departing and check the Louisiana Transportation Network Authority posted rates. Use a rideshare app to compare pricing before accepting any taxi. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is New Orleans safe at night for tourists?
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. 2 of the 14 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Listings marketed as French Quarter (near Jackson Square), Garden District (near St. Charles Ave streetcar), and Marigny Triangle; scam volume peaks November–February for Mardi Gras bookings. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of New Orleans should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in New Orleans is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Listings marketed as French Quarter (near Jackson Square), Garden District (near St. Charles Ave streetcar), and Marigny Triangle; scam volume peaks November–February for Mardi Gras bookings (Fake Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Fraud During Mardi Gras); Bourbon Street between Canal St and St. Ann St (the densest bar block), Frenchmen Street jazz clubs in the Marigny, and club venues on Decatur St (Drink Spiking on Bourbon Street); 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 (Fake Event Ticket & Vacation Rental Fraud). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in New Orleans?
The best protection against scams in New Orleans is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: The regulated taxi fare from MSY to the French Quarter is a set flat rate. Ask the driver to confirm the exact fare before departing and check the Louisiana Transportation Network Authority posted rates. Use a rideshare app to compare pricing before accepting any taxi. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

New Orleans · USA · North America

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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 →