Money & ATM Scams in New York, USA
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in New York — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Tijuana, Cozumel, and Mexico City.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
2
Money & ATM Scams Scams
19
Total in New York
How it works
Skimming devices attached to standalone ATMs — particularly in tourist-heavy areas and bodegas — capture card data and PINs via a hidden overlay and pinhole camera. NYC has documented multiple large-scale skimming rings; one operation stole $17 million from NYC ATMs in a single scheme. Tourists using unfamiliar machines in areas like Times Square, Midtown side streets, and near Penn Station are prime targets. The devices are increasingly sophisticated and difficult to spot visually.
How it works
Currency exchange kiosks at JFK and LaGuardia airports and in Times Square advertise "0% commission" but apply extremely wide bid-ask spreads, effectively charging 10–15% above the mid-market exchange rate. Kiosks operated by Travelex and similar chains near tourist zones routinely offer rates far worse than any bank or ATM. Tourists changing large amounts of cash lose significant money without realising the fee is embedded in the rate itself.
See all scams in New York
19 total warnings across all categories
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