Source: US FBI
With the school year about to begin, FBI San Diego would like to remind students and the public that making hoax threats is not a joke—it is a federal crime with serious consequences for the public and the perpetrator.
Hoax threats put innocent people at risk while diverting law enforcement officers from other crimes. These threats cost taxpayers money, but they can also cause devastating emotional distress to students, parents, and school personnel.
“Whether real or fake, the FBI takes every threat seriously putting our full investigative force behind each one,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “My message to the public, and especially our school-age youth is this: if you make a hoax threat, the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify you and hold you accountable. Hoax threats are not a joke. Think twice before you post.”
It does not matter where you make a threat—over social media, via text message, through email, or saying it out loud—making a hoax threat is a federal crime and could land you in federal prison for up to five years. The poster or sender of these threats could also face state or local charges.
What you should do:
- Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats online … period.
- Notify authorities but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
- If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control.
- Talk to your child about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions and explain the importance of responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.
- If you believe you are the target of or witness to an online threat, alert authorities:
- Immediately report the threat to your local law enforcement agency.
- To report an emergency or an immediate threat to life, call 911.
- To report any threats and/or federal criminal activity you may also visit tips.fbi.gov (tips can be submitted anonymously),
call 1-800-CALL FBI (800-225-5324), or contact your local FBI field office in San Diego.
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