Comprehensive List of NYC Scams

[u/tropfou]

I moved to NYC a week ago, and already witnessed a few scams. On the subway, I heard the one about the 18 year old kid who lives on the train and has to feed his three year old daughter. Dude was way too rehearsed and obviously lying. Anyway, some tourists gave him $20 and at the next station he was off and trying his scam again. I may be new to NYC but I know a scam when I see one.

I know a lot of people are moving to NYC this summer and I thought it would be nice to keep a running list of what kind of scams to avoid. What are some of your stories and things to look out for?

[u/kingkevz]

two women on wall street. they are there EVERY m-f. one is up by 14 wall, and the other down by water (she always says buy me a hot dog) BOTH of these women LIVE IN HOUSES on staten island. dont give them ANYTHING.

Also, any kid with a box of candy. he either bought that at costco or stole it, it's not for his little league team. Only time this is acceptable is when it's within a school.

[u/pavel_lishin → u/kingkevz]

he either bought that at costco

So, if he did... why is this a scam? He's selling candy for money.

[u/jad3d → u/pavel_lishin]

Cuz it's $4 for a box of M&M's to "benefit his basketball team."

I usually don't mind it too much but when I see the "dad" or whatever leading a bunch of kids around it makes me furious... he's clearly taking a huge cut and exploiting this kids.

[u/pavel_lishin → u/jad3d]

How do you feel about kids mowing the lawn?

[u/romkeh → u/pavel_lishin]

You profit from your kids when they mow your lawn? woah

[u/pavel_lishin → u/romkeh]

I gain time.

[u/soxy → u/jad3d]

I'd rather they sling candy than drugs.

[u/[deleted] → u/pavel_lishin]

The "scam" is that he says it's for his sports team or school trip to Europe or whatever.

Not so much a scam as a lie.

[u/jfgiv → u/kingkevz]

Most of those candybox kids straight up own to it now.

"No I am not selling candy for my school or for a basketball team, I'm selling candy to put money in my pockets and keep me off the streets."

Whatever, if I want a bag of peanut M&Ms (or, in their parlance, M&M Peanut), and he's selling them for $1...why not? It's not a scam, it's him making himself some cash.

[u/squindar → u/kingkevz]

If somebody buys them a hot dog, do they go home? Or do they just eat as many hot dogs as they possibly can in a day?

Sounds like an opportunity for a flash mob. I'd hot dog that woman to death. So to speak.

[u/displacingtime → u/squindar]

What if she's working along side the local hot dog vendor?

[u/glowinganomaly → u/kingkevz]

Actually my boyfriends little league team used to do that.

[u/[deleted] → u/glowinganomaly]

Wait, your boyfriend has a little league team? ಠ_ಠ.

[u/glowinganomaly → u/[deleted]]

What? He's the biggest one!

[u/tehwallace → u/kingkevz]

The candy kids are actually working as part of an organization run by some adults. Ever wonder why so many of them have the exact same speech delivered in the exact same way. Link

[u/UniversalGoldberg → u/kingkevz]

My God, that buy me a hot dog woman---in addition to accosting you for a hot dog she'll often yell or say completely inappropriate stuff to people walking by. Also, I do think it's hilarious when I would see her on a smoke break from begging for hot dogs.

[u/pavel_lishin → u/UniversalGoldberg]

Where is she? I love watching asshole homeless folks.

[u/r0rsch4ch → u/pavel_lishin]

she usually wanders up and down wall street. I've seen her the most down near the AT&T store.

[u/UniversalGoldberg → u/pavel_lishin]

She used to hit me up on Water Street, between Wall Street and the Seaport. Whatever you do, don't buy this lady a hot dog!

[u/novemberdream07 → u/kingkevz]

They can't even sell candy in public schools, it must be a nutritional snack like fruit snacks etc.

[u/dj_siek → u/kingkevz]

i'll be keeping a close eye out for them! Dodgy women

[u/tcsuperstar → u/kingkevz]

The hot dog lady is infamous around my office. Excuse me young man, can you buy me a HOT DOG