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Actually, the false information I was referring to was the content of the call/text, not the spoofed number (reporting an emergency situation when one does not exist).

Looking back on it, I think I jumped the tracks though, since most of the conversation had been about the caller ID/phone number spoofing side of the problem.

At any rate, it's good to know that the system is sophisticated enough to avoid the easy attempts at doing this - thanks for the info! But it is frightening as heck to know that people are finding a way to trick dispatchers into sending police into third party locations under the guise of an emergency that warrants guns drawn.

Keith B wrote:

Sangiovese wrote:

Keith B wrote: 911 doesn't use Caller ID; it uses a totally different system. That's all I will say about that.

I don't think I said it does. I don't have a clue how it works, and I (usually) refrain from jumping into areas where I'm clueless :) (My wife may have a different opinion on that subject!)

I was just responding to the "not illegal unless there is intent to defraud" comment... and suggesting some of the many ways that it could be prosecuted.

I was just responding to your comment

Sangiovese wrote: You could most likely prove intent to defraud in the case of the fake 911 calls.

In the case of 911, you would not be able to provide false information to the 911 system by spoofing yoru CallerID. Calls are identified by a totally seprate method. You additionally cannot block your information by doing a *67 or other means of blocking CallerID.

Keith B wrote: 911 doesn't use Caller ID; it uses a totally different system. That's all I will say about that.

I don't think I said it does. I don't have a clue how it works, and I (usually) refrain from jumping into areas where I'm clueless :) (My wife may have a different opinion on that subject!)

I was just responding to the "not illegal unless there is intent to defraud" comment... and suggesting some of the many ways that it could be prosecuted.

You could most likely prove intent to defraud in the case of the fake 911 calls. 2 options... first is that the caller intended to defraud the PD of the resources it expended in responding to the call. Alternatively, you could contend that the caller intended to defraud the citizens of the community the use of the PD resources that were tied up with the call, and therefore not available to respond to other needs in the community.

You also have false police report/official statements violations, and depending on local statutes, I'm sure that you could add more to the list.

If this is in fact happening, there are multiple ways to prosecute it.