TELEPHONE HOAXES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 6

TELEPHONE HOAXES

CITY OF CONFUSION. MISCHIEVOUS WOMAN. AUCKLAND. May 2. Bogus telephone calls requesting the delivery of goods or asking for the services of business people and residents in the city and suburbs are causing widespread annoyance and inconvenience in Auckland. In some instances the victims of the hoaxes have been put to expense before the telephone messages have been proved false, and in every case time has been wasted and confusion caused. Most of the calls have been reported to the police, and each time it has been stated that the false messages were given by a woman. It is believed that one person is responsible for all the calls. In several cases families have been disturbed during the evening by a message to the effect that a member of the household was seriously injured in a motor accident. The person telephoning either refuses to give a name or gives a false one. and rings off after naming the locality of the accident. Members of the family usually hire a taxi and drive to the scene of the alleged accident, and in some eases several hours have, been wasted before the position has been realised. Among business people who have suf fered as a result of the false calls arc undertaker's, florists, brewers, grocers, piano and wireless dealers, taxi com panies and chemists. Several astounded householders have been called upon by undertakers’ representatives and have had wreaths arrive at the door. The hoaxes have proved expensive to taxi concerns who have sent cars far afield. Large orders of groceries have been sent to fictitious addresses. A keg of beer to be paid for on delivery was unloaded at the premises of a Queen Street chemist. One firm loaded a piano on a truck and sent the driver off on what proved a long search for a house that did not exist.