Is New York Safe in May 2026?

Operators run a shell game on folding tables near tourist-heavy areas like Times Square and Midtown. Shills in the crowd pretend to win to lure tourists into betting. The dealer controls the outcome and tourists never win once real money is on the table.

How to avoid: Never stop to watch or participate in street card or shell games. These are illegal gambling operations and tourists always lose. Walk away immediately even if someone nearby appears to be winning.

At Battery Park near the Statue City Cruises ticket booth, unofficial vendors approach tourists claiming to sell legitimate Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry tickets, often dressed to look semi-official. Some claim the official booth is sold out and offer "reserve" tickets at inflated prices. The NYPD has formally identified this as one of NYC's most common tourist scams, and Statue City Cruises has posted warning signs outside their own booth. Tickets purchased from street vendors are worthless — the ferry will not accept them.

How to avoid: Buy tickets only at the Castle Clinton box office inside Battery Park or in advance at StatueCityCruises.com. The official booth is the brick circular building near the park entrance. Ignore any vendor who approaches you before you reach the box office. Tickets to the Statue of Liberty never go on sale from individuals on the street.

Street performers near Times Square and popular tourist spots approach tourists claiming to be up-and-coming musicians, hand them a free CD, then aggressively demand $20-$40 in payment and refuse to take the CD back. They may follow or block your path if you try to leave.

How to avoid: Decline any item handed to you on the street by saying "No thank you" firmly before it touches your hands. Never accept anything framed as "free" from strangers in tourist areas, as aggressive solicitation nearly always follows.

At JFK's international arrivals halls — particularly Terminals 1, 4, and 8 — organized teams of unlicensed drivers and coordinators communicate via walkie-talkie to intercept arriving tourists before they reach the official taxi stand. The Port Authority Police issued 2,400+ citations for illegal solicitation in 2025 alone. Fares range from $200 to over $800 for a Manhattan trip that costs $70 in a licensed cab. In documented cases, drivers have locked car doors and become aggressive when demanding payment.

How to avoid: Follow terminal signs to the official yellow cab stand — a uniformed dispatcher manages the queue. Never accept rides from anyone approaching you inside the arrivals hall. The licensed flat rate to Manhattan is $70 plus tolls and surcharges.

Unlicensed ticket touts near Broadway theaters approach tourists offering "great seats" to sold-out shows at inflated prices. Tickets may be counterfeit, for wrong dates, or obstructed-view seats misrepresented as premium. Prices can be 3-5x face value.

How to avoid: Buy tickets only from the official box office window or authorized platforms like Telecharge or TodayTix. The TKTS booth in Times Square offers legitimate same-day discounts. Avoid anyone approaching you on the street outside theaters.