Don’t fall for it.
The city is warning tourists set to attend hot local summer events such as the World Cup and America250 to keep their eyes open for scammers — who are already in full swing prepping for the onslaught.
A new 26-page City Council report titled “Taken for a Ride” says the millions of out-of-towners expected to flock to Gotham in the next few months should be on high alert for illegal scalpers, unlicensed cabbies and scheming vendors and tour guides waiting to prey on them.
Investigators have already uncovered more than a few tourist-baiting scams, including some involving tourist-site ticket peddlers promising the moon and delivering far less and pedicab drivers ripping off customers, the pols said.
“Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and driving billions of dollars in economic activity across the five boroughs,” Council Speaker Julie Menin said in a statement.
“To remain the world’s premier destination, visitors must feel safe, informed, and confident that they will be treated fairly.
“The council investigated and issued a report that makes clear that stronger enforcement, better coordination, and improved public education are needed to crack down on bad actors and protect both tourists and New York City’s reputation,” Menin said.
Pedicab operators already have been caught covering up their required “rate-per-minute” sign and charging illegal rates, while other scammers, including Statue of Liberty tour vendors, have tacked on bogus additional fees, the report said.
Some Lady Liberty ticket peddlers at Battery Park implied the offering of boat rides to the island — but instead booked passengers on vessels that simply circled the landmark and never set foot there.
City lawmakers are recommending a series of measures that would help ensure tourists don’t get ripped off, including better coordination between agencies such as the Port Authority, city Department of Transportation and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
The report recommends a campaign to educate tourists and increased security and enforcement where they are expected to visit — something the NYPD has already been geared to do.