FRIDAY: Police say 'Amber Alert' text messages appear to be a hoax

Amber Alert text messages being sent to cell phones recently and also using the names of area children appear to be a hoax, according to Ladysmith Police Lt. Al Lobermeier.

Lobermeier said police checked on the children Thursday, after the text messages began appearing on cell phones, and the children were found to be safe. He believed the text messages were attempts to collect information about e-mails and telephone numbers.

The Wisconsin Amber Alert Plan is an effort to enhance law enforcement’s ability to respond effectively and efficiently when a child has been abducted in the hope of preventing the victimization of children in Wisconsin.

The state's amber alert web site said there were no Amber Alerts activated as of Thursday morning. The web site is at www.amberalertwisconsin.org.

The fraudulent Amber Alert text messages have the appearance of an e-mail being forwarded multiple times and should be ignored, according to police.

To learn how to sign up to receive valid wireless Amber Alerts, go to www.wirelessamberalerts.org.



What is the Wisconsin Amber Alert Plan?

The Wisconsin Amber Alert Plan is an effort to enhance law enforcement’s ability to respond effectively and efficiently when a child has been abducted in the hope of preventing the victimization of children in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's Amber Alert Plan is a collaborative effort between the Department of Justice, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Wisconsin Public Radio, the Dane County Public Safety Communication Center, the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, the Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement agencies.

The statewide emergency alert system provides law enforcement agencies access to the on‑air signals of broadcasting stations throughout the state during the critical minutes following a child abduction.

An Amber Alert disseminates information about the abduction of a child as rapidly as possible. The broadcast will contain descriptive information about the child and the abduction. Citizens with information can then contact the listed law enforcement agency.