Hoax text message re-circulating

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - State police are notifying the public that a hoax Amber Alert text message first reported in February is again circulating.

Several reports of the fake alert message were reported this week in Delta County.

The hoax Amber Alert message contains the following information: "A 3-year-old girl was taken by a man driving a newer silver truck. The license plate reads 72b381. Please pass on."

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has confirmed there are no current Amber Alert activations containing this information.

"Incomplete and hoax Amber Alert messages forwarded in this manner ultimately result in confusion and can hamper legitimate recovery efforts," State Police Sgt. Greg Jones, coordinator of the Michigan Amber Alert Plan, said in a statement. "To confirm the validity of an Amber Alert message, please contact your local law enforcement agency."

In Michigan, official Amber Alert activations are distributed by State police to media outlets and law enforcement partners in a specific area or region. The information is then distributed to the public with a request for their assistance in locating the endangered missing child.

Official Amber Alert activations always include detailed information concerning the missing child such as a full description, last known location and contact information for the investigating agency. When the child is recovered, State police distributes an official cancellation message to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and media outlets.