Have a hidden phone for safety? Make sure it’s switched off this Sunday

Domestic violence groups and those who work with the vulnerable have issued a warning to turn off any phones that have been hidden for safety this Sunday when the government tests the UK-wide emergency alert system. 

Every 4G and 5G phone in the UK will receive a text message on 23 April that will say: ‘This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

‘In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

‘This is a test. You do not need to take any action.’

 The message will be accompanied by a loud alarm and vibration for up to 10 seconds, even if the phone is on silent.

Phone users will be prompted to click ‘OK’ on their home screen or swipe away from the message before being able to continue using their device.

The emergency alert system is intended to be used in life-threatening situations such as flooding and wildfires. It is modelled on similar schemes used in the US, Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands.

The concern is that it could put people in violent relationships in danger by revealing the location of secret phones hidden away for safety.

If you want to keep a phone concealed, you can turn off emergency alerts in the settings or simply switch off your device during the test.

People have also been warned to watch out for scams and are being reminded that no action is needed in response to the warning. If you receive a message asking you to download an app or provide personal information, it’s likely to be from a fraudster trying to take advantage of confusion around the scheme and should be ignored at all costs.

If you receive any messages or calls that you believe to be scams, report them to 7726. And if you or a loved one fall victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.