How to escape hip-hop CD giveaway scam in New York City?

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A few things:

  1. Avoid making eye contact with them. Nothing will make them come up to you more aggressively than eye contact. You've seen them, they saw you see them, and they know it's a lot harder for you to ignore them now.

  2. As stated above, do not engage. If they approach you and you cannot immediately walk away just say no. Repeatedly say no if pressed.

  3. Blow right past them. If you are not stuck on that corner just walk right past them without regarding them at all. Do not let them stop you. If one of them tries to block your way walk around them.

  4. Wear headphones, even if you don't intend to listen to anything (and you shouldn't be.) It's much easier to ignore someone when you can pretend that you can't hear them. People are also much less likely to approach you if you are wearing headphones.

  5. If you did engage, do not take the CD. This is the worst thing you could do.

  6. If you have taken the CD and they refuse to take it back, gently put it on the ground and walk away.

I live in NYC and do not have an issue with these people and have not since I was new there. You simply ignore them.

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Excuse me, I don't have a CD player; it's 2017. I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that. Have a great day.

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If you have a cell phone, take it out and call 911. When the operator answers, say "I am being harassed by an unlicensed peddler." At this point, they will likely disappear.

In case you are reluctant to call the emergency number for something that you may not view as an emergency, here's a page on the New York City website that explicitly instructs you to do so:

The City accepts reports of illegal peddlers or vendors operating without a license in a restricted area. In addition, you can report peddlers or vendors who are currently blocking crosswalks, traffic or ATMs, or otherwise causing a hazard or nuisance.

Call 911 to report a vendor causing a hazard or nuisance.

Disclaimer: this technique is untested. If I get a chance to test it, I'll come back and edit this answer.

In case you have not seen it, there is a New York Times article on the practice in which the reporter describes getting his hands on a CD by purchasing it from a tourist (after a scammer refused to sell him one). The CD was blank, so in addition to the other crimes being committed there may also be fraud.

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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