NEW YORK — Police issued warnings to New Yorkers Wednesday because of a new wave of Social Security scam phone calls.

The recording on the other end sounds convincing, but it’s really a criminal pretending to be the government.

People are told they owe the government money and that there's a warrant out for their arrest, NYPD Crime Prevention Division Deputy Inspector Jessica Corey said.

Corey said the scammers are also becoming more savvy. They spoof phone numbers.

Last year alone, there were 586 victims of scammers reported with a total loss of about $ 7 million, according to the NYPD.

The Social Security Administration said the scammers mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid being arrested.

If you get a call that seems suspicious, it's best to just hang up the phone.

