The 515 area code is being used for Social Security number suspension scams and fake legal threats. Callers pretend to be government agents to frighten you into revealing sensitive information.
Look up any suspicious number using our scam and spam phone number lookup database. It includes over 29 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Getting calls from 515 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Iowa (Des Moines, Ames, West Des Moines) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 515 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 515 area code are receiving frequent robocalls claiming their Social Security number has been used in fraudulent activity, sometimes mentioning a crime in "South Texas." The recording threatens immediate arrest or legal action if you don't call them back right away.
The Social Security Administration does not call people to threaten them. They will never tell you that your number has been suspended and will not demand payment. They initiate contact via official U.S. Mail.
"Telling me my social society number is under investigation and call back or ima get arrested."
Scammers are calling Iowans pretending to be from firms like "American Legal Recovery" or using fake names like "Claire Brown" or "Heather Dawson." They leave voicemails about a "complaint notice" or pending legal action, threatening to contact your HR or payroll department if you don't respond.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they just show up. Legitimate debt collectors must provide a written notice by mail, not just threaten you over the phone.
"Hello my name is Claire Brown you were not available today and this message is in regards to a complaint notice to your attention... after a third field attempt I'm required to direct further contact to your HR or payroll department on file."
This is a persistent robocall claiming to be from the "vehicle service bureau" about your car's extended warranty. Callers often have outdated information, asking about a vehicle you no longer own, and will quickly hang up if you question them or ask to be removed from their list.
These are not your car's manufacturer or dealer. They are aggressive third-party sellers using your public vehicle records. To check your real warranty, contact the dealership where you purchased your car.
"Calls 2-4 times a day for 2 months. Called the number back, got a girl saying she's calling about the extended warranty on my Toyota. Dont own a Toyota which when I told her that, she hung up."
Scammers are calling local businesses pretending to be from Equifax or a bank for a mortgage refinance. They use robocalls or live agents to trick employees into providing employment verification details, which can be used for identity theft.
Legitimate lenders and agencies handle employment verifications through formal written requests or secure online portals, not through unsolicited robocalls to your company's front desk.
"Robo-called saying they were Equifax, asking for verification of employment. Verifications of employment are NEVER left to voice-emulating robots, they are always handled by a live person. All signs of a scam."
Callers are vaguely identifying themselves as "your health insurance provider" or a "Medicare advisor." They push you to confirm personal information or try to sell you unnecessary medical items, like a "Medicare back brace" that comes with a surprise $25 fee at the end of the call.
Your real insurance provider and Medicare already know who you are and will not call to sell you products. Official Medicare communication primarily comes through the mail.
"Medicare back brace scam. They tell you Medicare will cover the back brace completely but at the very end of the conversation they tell you there's a $25 one-time fee. I hung up and called the FTC as well as Medicare to let them know."
A recorded message, often from a man identifying himself as "Neil," is calling Iowa homeowners with an unsolicited offer to buy their house for cash. The scammer makes it sound local and personal, claiming he "just sold his home in the area" and lets you "choose the move out date" to build false trust.
Legitimate real estate investors typically use targeted marketing like mailers or work through agents, not mass robocalls. These calls are designed to find financially distressed homeowners and pressure them into a bad deal.
"Neil just sold his home in the area and is looking to buy another home in our area for cash. He said I wouldn't need to pick up anything and I could choose the move out date. Recording."
A disturbing and dangerous scam is targeting Iowans via text message. Scammers send horrific images of dead and dismembered bodies, claim they are a killer-for-hire, and threaten to harm you and your family if you don't pay them thousands of dollars (one report mentioned $2,900).
This is a terrifying but empty threat. The scammers are almost always located overseas and use publicly available information to create fear. They have no physical presence in Iowa and cannot act on their threats.
"Showed me names and addresses of me and family members that anyone can get from the internet along with pictures of dead dismembered bodies and severed heads with a monthly demand."
Scammers are using robocalls to impersonate the IRS and even the FBI's "Tax and Crime division." The recorded message falsely claims a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to tax fraud and that you must call back immediately or "face the consiqunses" [sic].
The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment, demand payment over the phone, or threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying. Their first contact is always via U.S. Mail.
"I have received numerous calls from this number, claiming to be an FBI agent with the Tax and Crime division. That they have processed my address and sent a warrant for my arrest."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 515 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Iowa, United States. Area code 515 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 515 scam types are:
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Iowa, or have a 515 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Calling back to unknown spam number may incur premium charges or at least confirm your phone number is active and lead to more spam and scam calls.
There are three main ways to reduce spam calls:
It's definitely possible to block all specific area code phone numbers. However, we do not recommend this option because it would also prevent friends, family, doctors, and legitimate businesses from reaching you.
Other Iowa area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: