Everyday Questions

AMBER Alerts


Question What is an AMBER Alert?
Answer AMBER Alerts provide the public with immediate and up-to-date information about a child’s abduction including descriptions of the child, abductor, vehicle etc.

The purpose of AMBER alerts is to provide as many details as possible about a child’s abduction in order to gather information from the Public that will lead to the safe return of an abducted child.

A wireless AMBER alert is a notification of a child’s abduction that is sent via text message directly to your Public Mobile phone.

If you sign up to receive wireless AMBER alerts you will receive a message whenever an AMBER Alert is issued in your region. You will also receive a message when that same AMBER Alert is cancelled or if there is additional information pertinent to the alert.

Question What does it cost to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts on my Public Mobile phone?
Answer There is no charge for subscribing to Wireless AMBER Alerts. Wireless AMBER alert text messages are free to send or receive in the unlimited coverage area as well as in our roaming coverage. 

Question How can I sign up for wireless AMBER alerts on my Public Mobile phone?
Answer There are two ways to sign up for wireless AMBER alerts:
  1. Using your Public Mobile phone:
  • In a text message, send the word ‘AMBER’ to 26237.
  • You’ll receive a text message asking whether you would like to receive AMBER alerts in English or in French.
  • Reply to the text message with either ‘EN’ to receive English messages or ‘FR’ to receive French messages.
  • You’ll receive a text message with an internet link to a mobile site with your home province defaulted.
2.  Using a computer:
  • Open you web browser and go to www.wirelessamber.ca
  • Enter your 10-digit Public Mobile phone number, including area code and click ‘Submit’
  • Once you have entered your mobile number, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone with a 4 letter validation PIN code. Enter the PIN online and click ‘Submit’
  • The Subscription page appears, with your home province defaulted. Here you have the ability to check or uncheck additional provinces you wish to subscribe to.

Question I don’t subscribe to Canadian and International text messaging with Public Mobile, can I still sign up for AMBER alerts?
Answer Sorry, but you must have this feature to register for the AMBER alerts program.

Question How can I get more information about this program?
Answer To get more information about this program by:
  • Texting the keyword INFO or HELP to 26237 (AMBER)
  • E-mailing info@wirelessamber.ca
  • Visiting http://wirelessamber.ca

Question I received a Wireless AMBER Alert and believe I have information that could help. What do I do?
Answer Please call the phone number that appears in the text message of the AMBER Alert notice you receive to report information. Please do not reply to the AMBER Alert text message.

Question How can I unsubscribe to wireless AMBER alerts?
Answer There are two ways to unsubscribe to wireless AMBER alerts:
  • Reply with the word "STOP" to any message received.
  • In a text message, send the word ‘STOP’ to 26237.



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