Hoax Calls

Making a hoax call is not only illegal - it is also dangerous. Fire crews sent out in response to a hoax call cannot attend a real emergency. Following up these calls puts lives and property at extra risk.

Hoax calls may be seen as a 'prank' but the results can be very serious . All hoax calls are reported to BT's Malicious Calls Bureau and the police and fire services work together to track down the culprits, using recordings of the call as evidence. A number of people have been successfully prosecuted in this way.

Remember - the Fire Service knows the phone number you called from, and has a recording of your voice!

Because more hoax calls are being made from pre-pay mobile phones, Kent Fire & Rescue Service is working with mobile phone service providers to make sure these hoaxers pay the price. After a few precautionary checks mobile phones used to make hoax calls can now be deactivated, by the service provider call centre at the touch of a button.

Your hoax call could turn out to be the most expensive call you ever make.