wow - fascinating read. Worth the time everyone!
I'm staying in NYC for a few nights in January, and arrive really late (or I suppose early!) at 2am.
While we were initially looking at Airbnbs, in a city like NY scams like this are certainly going to be problem. Even if it is not a scam, so many neighbourhoods are pokey and dark, and a late night arrival to an old apartment building with vague entry instructions was just too much of a risk for me..... so first 2 nights = hotel with hotel car pre-booked for pick-up. Then move to Airbnb for the remainder of stay (during daylight hours).