Medford, Oregon- The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents after deputies responded to multiple 911 calls this week connected to a viral TikTok prank involving artificial intelligence.
The nationwide trend uses AI to create realistic images of a disheveled “homeless man” appearing inside someone’s home. Teens have been sending the AI-generated photos to family or friends as pranks, leading recipients to believe an intruder is inside their house and prompting calls to 911.
In Jackson County, several parents contacted Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911) after receiving such images. Deputies responded to each report, but all incidents were determined to be hoaxes.
Deputies issued warnings to the teens involved, noting that the prank could result in criminal charges for initiating a false report, a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon law. The offense can require offenders to repay the costs of law enforcement response and investigation, and if a SWAT team is deployed, it carries a mandatory minimum jail term of 10 days.
Officials urged parents to discuss with their children how AI can create convincing fake content and the serious legal and emotional consequences that can result from misusing emergency services.
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