email : Webview : Safety Advisory

Date: January 16, 2025
To: The NYU Community
From: NYU Department of Campus Safety
Re: Safety Advisory - Mobile Payment App/Charity Donation Scam/Robbery

Following up on the Clery Campus Notice from January 11, 2025, the NYU Department of Campus Safety has received additional reports of an ongoing mobile pay app/charity donation scam near NYU buildings in Manhattan—primarily near and around Broadway, between Astor Place and West 4th Street. At least one of these encounters resulted in a student being robbed.

These reports have the following in common:

Two individuals conducting the scam approach the victim asking for donations—sometimes for a charity, or to help with an ill family member.
While standing with the two individuals, some victims reported a third individual may approach from behind, creating a triangular barrier to prevent the victim from leaving.
There have been occasions where the individuals offer bags of candy in exchange for donations.
If the victim declines to donate cash, the individuals may threaten the victim to give money electronically through a mobile pay app or by withdrawing cash from an ATM.
There have been reports of individuals requesting to break a large bill, or make change, that is later determined to be counterfeit.

Given this pattern of incidents, we recommend paying additional attention to your surroundings as you navigate campus and nearby areas. We also suggest you:

Politely decline if asked to donate money on the street and continue walking. You can always make a donation later at your convenience.
Enable the two-factor and/or biometric authentication for mobile payment apps on your phone.
Disable the automatic payment/receipt function for your mobile payment apps.
Decouple mobile payment apps from smart watches.
Request assistance from others or seek out an open NYU facility that has Campus Safety Officers posted like the University’s green light buildings if you feel that you are in danger.

Our team is here to support you. If you experience an incident like this or have any information that could aid in the review, please contact the NYPD at 911 and NYU Campus Safety at (212) 998-2222 or via text through the Safe NYU app.