Leave your valuables in the hotel safe. There's no reason to carry a lot of cash with you, so leave extra credit cards and cash in the safe at the hotel. Lock your suitcases and hide your laptop computer while out of your room.
Never wear flashy jewelry if you can avoid it. You will be a walking advertisement to criminals looking for an easy mark.
Men should keep their wallets in a front pocket. Women should carry their purses in front, if possible, with one hand firmly on your purse straps. Keep cameras in front of you to deter pickpockets.
Don't ride in an empty subway car. Stick with the crowds, even on subway platforms.
Stay in well-populated New York City neighborhoods at night. Hail cabs in unfamiliar territory or if you feel uncomfortable or disoriented. Unless you know the area, approach certain neighborhoods with care at night, including the Lower East Side, the Meatpacking District, or Alphabet City in the East Village.
Don't wander onto deserted side streets. Stay on main and well-traveled streets. For example, if you're in Times Square, stay with the crowds on Broadway rather than taking the quieter side streets.
Don't walk through Central Park at night, unless you're there for a performance and will be surrounded by crowds of other performance-goers.
Don't jaywalk. It's illegal, and you put yourself at risk from the always-busy traffic.
Don't deal with anyone who approaches you on the street with a money-making proposition or a sob story.
Avoid card games on the street, more commonly known as "Three Card Monte." You will not win the game, but you're sure to lose plenty of cash. In addition, the card games are patently illegal and the organizers of the games will simply fold up shop and run if they see the police approaching.
Avoid eye contact with panhandlers, who are seldom dangerous and won't become aggressive if you ignore them. A simple but firm "no" or "not today" will usually dissuade panhandlers.
Don't get into a taxicab unless it is a yellow Medallion cab. These are the only cabs authorized by the New York Taxi & Limousine Commission to pick up riders hailing a cab. Avoid unmarked "gypsy" cabs, which are unregulated, less safe and will charge you more than medallion cabs. Taxis are cash only and drivers usually can't change anything higher than a $20 bill. Always tip the driver.
