Scam in United StatesOn the street
Aggressive requests for money in United States
How it works
Someone asks for money and becomes persistent or intimidating. This is not always a scam, but the pressure can make you feel you must pay.
Warning signs
- The person keeps asking after you refuse.
- The request becomes aggressive or makes you feel harassed.
How to avoid it
- Say "No" or "No, sorry" and walk away.
- Keep a cautious distance if someone is behaving aggressively.
- Follow the example of nearby locals.
If it happens to you
Walk away and avoid an argument. If you are threatened or in immediate danger, call 911.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase anyone or get into a confrontation.
- Call 911 if you are threatened, injured, or facing an emergency.
- Contact your card issuer or bank promptly. Freeze affected cards and report unauthorized payments.
- Save receipts, messages, booking details, and a short account of what happened.
- Report the incident to the appropriate police service. Ask for a report number or copy.
- Contact your insurer if you need to make a claim. Contact your embassy if your passport is missing or you need help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/AskNOLA2026Shoe cleaning scamA Scottish tourist in New Orleans reports that a stranger initiated a shoe-location bet, cleaned their shoes without agreement and demanded $20 while directing them to an ATM.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/nyc2022I was a first time tourist last week and went to time square. My phone was taken out of my hands by this group of Minnie mouses while I was walking. I told the mice I’m not paying them for a photo. They tossed my phone back at me like some junk. Jokes on them, I got this for freeA first-time Times Square visitor reports that costumed performers grabbed their phone and returned it roughly after the visitor refused to pay for a photograph.Read on Reddit
- Travel blog2018Beware: Taking Photos with Costumed Characters in Times SquareA travel blogger describes Times Square performers inviting visitors to pose for photographs and becoming aggressive when visitors do not provide an expected tip.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the aggressive requests for money scam in United States?
Someone asks for money and becomes persistent or intimidating. This is not always a scam, but the pressure can make you feel you must pay.
How can I spot it early?
The person keeps asking after you refuse. The request becomes aggressive or makes you feel harassed.
How do I avoid aggressive requests for money in United States?
Say "No" or "No, sorry" and walk away. Keep a cautious distance if someone is behaving aggressively. Follow the example of nearby locals.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Walk away and avoid an argument. If you are threatened or in immediate danger, call 911.
Where in United States does this happen?
Urban streets, especially pedestrian areas
How common is this scam in United States?
Occasional. The United States is generally safe for tourists, and few visitors experience crime. Visitors may face petty crime or aggressive requests for money, but there is not enough information here to say how common tourist scams are.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 911 for police, fire, or ambulance assistance in an emergency. The call is free. Local police: for a non-emergency scam or theft, contact the local police through their official contact details or visit a police station. Transit police: for an incident on public transportation, report it to transit police where available. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to report a stolen card or unauthorized payment. Your country's embassy: contact the embassy for help with a missing passport. If your complaint concerns a police officer's behavior, ask the embassy for advice first. Travel insurer: use the claims contact in your policy. Keep receipts and any police report for your claim.
What number do I call in an emergency in United States?
Police, fire, and ambulance: 911, Poison Control, available 24/7: +1-800-222-1222.
Reviewed by @snuck