URBAN LEGEND: Dial *77 if an Unmarked Police Car Directs You to Pull Over

The claim, which has a few variations, but is basically as follows:

A friend's daughter was traveling alone at night on a highway when an unmarked police car pulled up behind her and put its lights on.  The friend had told her to dial *77 if this ever happened, so she did.  The dispatcher couldn't confirm the police car was where she reported.  The dispatcher sent several marked police cars to the scene.  The driver of the unmarked car was a convicted rapist.

The truth, according to Snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/fakecop.asp

The short summary of the truth is this. Women are assaulted by fake cops. Women driving alone at night should be cautious if an unmarked car attempts to pull them over. Rather than guess which code connects you to the highway patrol in a given state, dial 911—a number that is universal and valid in all 50 states (unlike *77 or #77). Tell the 911 operator what is going on and that you intend to pull over as soon as you reach a well-lighted and populated area.

Comments

[Katie]

I am so glad you posted this! I've gotten this mass email at least twice in the past years, and don't appreciate the scare tactics. 911 is the way to go. Always.