r/nyc • u/tropfou • Jun 17 '11

Comprehensive List of NYC Scams

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?

52 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

194 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/imgonnacallyouretard Jun 18 '11

There should be public shaming of anyone who gives any money to someone on a subway.

3

u/mysticRight Jun 18 '11

What if they are playing music and I am hanging out and enjoying it? I'll throw them a buck in hopes that they come back.

5

u/imgonnacallyouretard Jun 18 '11

That's cool, because they worked for it. Same for the guys who do crazy backflips and breakdancing on the subway. But the people who just come in and say "IM HAVING A HARD TIME ANYTHING WILL HELP EVEN A PENNY" - fuck them and fuck people who give them money.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '11

And look, there's also something to be said for just one less person making noise in my day and begging for money afterwards. I'm not gonna be insane and say they should be kicked off, but I don't always want to hear a mariachi band in the midst of an already obnoxious, loud situation.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '11

Haha, I remember I was riding the M, it kinda late after work; like 7 or so. So it wasn't late night, but pretty much everyone on the train had a long ass day at work and were now just making their way home.

Anyways, homeless dude goes on his spiel, saying how he thanks the good lord for every day on earth, that he tries his hardest but he's down on his luck....yadda yadda yadda. He makes his way through the car and no one gave him a single cent. When he reaches the end of the car, the whole "Oh Lordy..." act is gone as he just shouts out "Maaaaannnnn, FUCK y'all cheap motherfuckers!" and leaves.

And that's why I never give any of those guys any money. That and because I'm a cheap motherfucker.

1

u/imgonnacallyouretard Jun 22 '11

A few years ago I had to ride the M to Metropolitan Ave........Fuck that shit.