The 518 area code is seeing Social Security impostors and the emotional "grandson in jail" emergency scam. These callers manipulate your fear for a family member or your legal status to steal your cash.
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 518 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof New York (Albany, Schenectady, Troy) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 518 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are actively targeting 518 area code residents with calls pretending to be from the Social Security Administration. A robocall or live agent will claim your Social Security Number (SSN) has been suspended due to "fraudulent" or "criminal activities," sometimes even mentioning drug dealing. They use threats of arrest and legal proceedings to scare you into calling back and providing your personal information or money.
The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten you, demand payment, or tell you that your SSN is suspended. They primarily communicate through U.S. mail for official matters.
"This call is from Department of Social Security Administration the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings..."
This particularly cruel scam preys on grandparents' emotions. A scammer calls pretending to be your grandchild who is in jail after a serious car accident, often claiming they have a "broken nose" to disguise their voice. They will quickly pass the phone to a fake lawyer, who may use names like "Robert Stevens" or "Angel White," and demand thousands of dollars in cash ($6,000 to $10,000) for bail money.
A legitimate legal process for bail is handled through the courts or a licensed bail bondsman, not by a lawyer demanding cash or gift cards over the phone. The "broken nose" story is a common trick to explain why the voice doesn't sound right.
"My 'Grandson' called because in was in a car accident and arrested. Wants me to bail him out. He gave me this number (518 300 3676) for his lawyer Robert Stevens. Said lawyer would call from there to tell me how to pay."
You may receive an aggressive robocall stating a "complaint has been filed against you" or that you are in "non-compliance." Scammers, sometimes using names like "Claire Brown" or "LAURIE CRANZ," threaten to serve you with legal papers at your home or work. They often mention contacting your HR or Payroll department as an intimidation tactic to get you to call back a phony number with a fake "case number."
Official process servers do not call to warn you in advance; their job is to serve you papers in person without notice. Threatening to contact your employer to discuss a debt is an illegal scare tactic.
"We received a threatening phone call from 518-735-3538, same as others, deep voice male threathening to serve papers at home or work with a case file. This must be stopped."
Scammers are blasting the 518 area with robocalls claiming to be from "Apple Support." An automated voice, often from "Molly" or "Mandy," warns that your iCloud account has been breached by suspicious activity from Russia or China. They create panic by telling you not to use your Apple devices and to immediately press 1 or call a non-toll-free 518 number to resolve the issue, where they will try to get your personal information.
Tech companies like Apple will not call you out of the blue. Security notifications are sent via on-device alerts or emails to the address associated with your account, never through a random, alarming robocall.
"This is Molly from Apple support we have found some suspicious activities in your iCloud account that your iCloud account has been breached before using any Apple device please contact Apple support advisor press one to connect with Apple support advisor...or if you wish to contact us later please call us on our toll-free number .5187301561 thank you…."
This scam targets residents with exciting news: you've supposedly won a massive Publishers Clearing House prize of millions of dollars and a new car. The caller, using a name like "Todd Slone," "John Malone," or "Debra Holland," will sound very professional. However, they'll insist you must first pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in "taxes and fees" by purchasing gift cards from stores like Walmart or Home Depot to claim your winnings.
Legitimate sweepstakes are free to enter and free to win. You are never required to pay fees or taxes to the contest organizer to claim a prize. Any caller demanding such a payment is a scammer.
"Guy claimed to be Todd Slone from PCH claiming I won 5 million 500 thousand.. He even sent me a FAKE check via email and said I need to purchase Visa gift cards and Home Depot gift cards... 'which would be encrypted into my credit card for the purpose of paying taxes on the monies won'..."
A very common robocall is circulating that leaves a message claiming your bank or credit card is about to be charged, typically $299 or $399, for an automatic subscription renewal. They mention vague services like "PC Tech Support," "anti-virus software," or a "security service license." The goal is to make you panic and call the number back to "cancel," at which point they'll ask for your credit card information to "process a refund."
Legitimate companies send renewal notices via email and would identify themselves clearly. They do not use vague, threatening robocalls as their primary method of communicating charges.
"Call said my card was charged $399 as my security service license was updated. If I wanted to cancel to call 518-329-9057 immediately"
This scam uses fear to trick you. Callers claiming to be from the "Criminal Investigative Department for the IRS" leave urgent messages about tax fraud. They threaten you with arrest and "prison time," stating it's their "last attempt to contact you." Their goal is to frighten you into calling back and paying a non-existent tax bill immediately over the phone.
The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. They will not threaten to bring in police for not paying, and they never ask for payment via gift cards or wire transfer.
"Stated 'Crimnal investigative department for the IRS This is the last attempt to contact you or criminal charges will be filed and prison time will follow. Contact 518-217-5564 to avoid prison time.' Knew it was a scam right away because the IRS does not call anyone..."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 518 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New York, United States. Area code 518 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 518 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 New York, or have a 518 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 New York area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: