BOSTON — A new prank is circulating on social media, and police departments across the country are warning people not to fall for it.
Apple’s smartphone assistant, Siri, can be used for numerous things like getting directions, checking emails and searching the internet.
But, police warn, pranksters are trying to trick iPhone users into activating it, and that could have dangerous and possibly deadly repercussions, KTLA reported.
Saying the phrase “Hey Siri, 108,” will contact emergency services in your location. The number 108 is India’s equivalent of 911 here in the United States. But local emergency dispatch centers would be notified if the phrase is spoken.
KTLA reports that after saying “108” there is a 5-second countdown before 911 is called.
It may seem funny, but the prank could be dangerous if emergency dispatch centers are overwhelmed by fake 911 calls.
In Dallas, 911 call centers were overwhelmed after T-Mobile phones began making “ghost calls,” which are automatically generated by a phone without the owner’s knowledge.
A 6-month-old baby died in Dallas after its babysitter was on hold with 911 for a half-hour after the child fell from a bed.