Fake 911 calls are on the rise. With the addition of fake 911 call apps, websites that allow users to change their phone numbers, and AI technologies, it’s never been easier to make a fake 911 call. While this may seem like a funny prank in some cases, it’s a serious problem for millions of Americans, especially the older generations who may fall victim to dangerous scams.
Luckily, this guide has your back. Whether you want to learn more about the types of pranks/scams that are out there or you want to put a stop to scammers, we have you covered. Read on to learn more.
Fake 911 Calls Explained
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what a fake 911 call actually is. While it’s unlikely that you’ll end up with a call from the 911 phone number itself, you may notice that calls are coming from someone who claims to be a police officer. You may also notice calls or text messages coming from online apps, so it’s not just a call from 911 that’s “fake.”
The nature of the call also varies. In some cases, a fake 911 call might be a scam. On the other hand, sometimes a fake 911 call can be a prank from your friends. While annoying, you probably should avoid taking legal action against your friends; maybe focus more on telling them to stop in these situations.
How Are Fake 911 Calls Made?
More often than not, fake 911 calls are made through apps or by phone number spoofing. In most cases, you won’t find someone using 911. Instead, it will be a unique number, private number, or something from an app. From there, the person on the other line will claim to be with the police.
Is a Fake 911 Call Illegal?
Yes, in most states a fake 911 call is illegal. In fact, making a fake 911 call is a misdemeanor in California and many other states. This means that people found guilty of making fake 911 calls can end up in jail, be fined, or face other penalties. So, not only is a fake 911 call illegal, but it’s also something that can land someone in a lot of trouble. Therefore, you can take legal action if you identify someone who’s making a fake 911 call.
How to Spot a Fake 911 Call
When it comes to fake 911 calls, you don’t want to ignore a call from the actual police. While rare, this can happen, although it won’t be from 911. Instead, it will be from a verifiable police office. Therefore, it’s important to learn more about how to spot a fake 911 call. Learn more about how to spot these calls below.
Hints from the Caller
First and foremost, there are some tells that a call is fake that you can get from the caller. If a police officer starts to ask you for payment information or details about your identity, like your Social Security Number (SSN), there’s a good chance that it’s a fake 911 call. In these cases, you can simply hang up the phone.
Reverse Phone Lookup Tools
Learning more about a caller can also be done with reverse phone lookup tools. If a call comes from someone claiming to be a police officer, it’s important to verify this information. To do so, it’s important to run the phone number through a reverse phone lookup tool. These are tools that will help you learn more about callers, and all you need to do is enter the phone number into the tool.
The best tool for the job is UnMask’s reverse phone lookup tool. This tool enables you to view all available public records associated with a phone number. If something looks off, you’ll know that the phone call is fake.
Report the Call to the Police
If you’re ever unsure about the police contacting you, you can contact the police. You can reach out to your local authorities to determine if they’ve called you. If they have, the police will definitely let you know, and they’ll also let you know if they haven’t been contacting you. Either way, you’ll have enough information. Just make sure you don’t call the same number that called you. Either look up your local police station’s non-emergency number, or go in person.
Our Final Thoughts on the Fake 911 Call
If you’ve ever received a fake 911 call, you know how scary they can be. Even if you haven’t had one yet, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. The good news is that preparation is simple. All you need to do is leverage a reverse phone lookup tool to identify the caller on the other line. Of course, you can also ask the police if they’ve contacted you and ignore calls where someone asks for your personal information.
