Per 
WARNING:
THIS FILE IS ONLY TO BE ACCESSED BY THOSE WITH LEVEL 3 CLEARANCE OR HIGHER.
NOTICE: This file details a cognitohazard anomaly. If you notice any changes to your mental health, experience a rise in anxiety, or begin to feel paranoid, please report to the nearest research supervisor.
An instance of SCP-XXXX found on SCP-XXXX-413
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Any device affected by SCP-XXXX is to be immediately disconnected from any network, whether wired or wireless, and have its power source removed. Devices will be assigned a designation number (SCP-XXXX-#) and placed within containment at Site-64. Under no circumstances should any personnel power on an infected device unless approved by the Site Director.
Designated devices that are infected with SCP-XXXX are to be placed within a steel containment box that is at least twice the size of the device itself. The box is not to be closer than 1.2 meters from another containment box. Containment boxes will be sealed and locked using a biometric scanner. All containment boxes are to be routinely inspected for any tampering or attempts at unlocking, and any activity concerning the biometric scanner is to be logged.
Any new devices that are suspected to be infected with SCP-XXXX must be immediately powered off, disconnected from the network, and the Site Director must be promptly notified. If SCP-XXXX is found on a device connected to the Foundation network, the system must be immediately disconnected and the entire facility must be temporarily disconnected from the network until it is verified that no instances of SCP-XXXX are found elsewhere.
Under no circumstances should SCP-XXXX's message be read or listened to (unless cleared for research purposes). Recordings or transcripts of an instance of SCP-XXXX must be labeled as a cognitohazard and classified. Any changes in emotional state, especially a rise in anxiety and paranoia, must be immediately reported.
Description: SCP-XXXX is an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message that is sent to a variety of devices at random times, stated to be issued by either a form of local authorities or the United States Government. The message encoded in the alert typically outlines safety instructions for an unidentified emergency within the individual's area. These instructions are often observed to be rather specific and often revolve around remaining within the device's owner's location. After the device receives the message, the message is repeated three times every minute. After all three messages are received, the device will emit a loud, high-pitched, oscillating tune for approximately five minutes before all noise ceases and the device becomes inoperable.
SCP-XXXX is often received on smartphones, radios, tablets, TV stations, and any device that supports EAS alerts. SCP-XXXX has also been reported to have been received on PC systems. For devices that have an option to toggle emergency alerts, SCP-XXXX has been observed to ignore any user setting. For radios and TV stations, multiple reports indicate that SCP-XXXX, through unknown means, prevents the channel from being changed until the message is concluded. On TV stations and radios, the message is conveyed through an automated, masculine voice. On other devices, the message appears as a notification.
How SCP-XXXX is sent out and received is unknown, along with its point of origin. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are unaware of and have no documentation on unauthorized EAS messages that share the same broadcasting times as an instance of SCP-XXXX.
SCP-XXXX's format is highly similar to an actual EAS alert, being almost indistinguishable from one. The format includes the three distinct buzzing tones of an EAS message, followed by a single tone and the message itself. The message, conveyed through either an automated voice or a popup notification, contains information on the alert itself and safety instructions regarding an unidentified emergency. The instructions within the alert typically vary, despite some messages being highly similar. Instructions, more often than not, heavily revolve around having the receiving individual remain within their location and following steps that are "vital to their safety" (See Addendum 2).
Attachment 1: The tones associated with an EAS alert, along with SCP-XXXX, audible before a message is conveyed.
Upon reading or hearing SCP-XXXX, individuals often experience cold sweats and an increased heart rate. Shortly after exposure to SCP-XXXX, the individual will begin to experience visual and auditory hallucinations along with severe anxiety and paranoia. These hallucinations have often been described as a tall, long-limbed silhouette that remains still, vanishing upon approach. Individuals also report hearing noises that have been described as friends or family members in distress, along with the three distinctive tones that preface an EAS message. Questioning has also revealed that individuals exposed to SCP-XXXX will typically follow the listed instructions due to paranoia of an unidentified emergency and a clouded judgement due to fear.
Researcher's Note: What exactly causes the heightened emotions in an individual is unknown, as tests and research have been inconclusive. This intense fear clouds the individual's judgement, having them believe that the instructions are what's going to keep them alive. Because of their clouded judgement, individuals affected by SCP-XXXX seek some kind of immediate solution, and trust the message to be providing that solution thinking it's from professionals who know what they're doing. What we fear the most is that somebody's going to harm something, be it themselves or others, in order to fulfill the safety instructions.
What causes the hallucinations remains to be unknown, though some reports indicate that they are induced by the intense anxiety SCP-XXXX causes. The visual hallucinations are often mild, and some individuals do not report experiencing them at all. Auditory hallucinations are also likely anxiety induced, although they are typically more severe and prevalent.
The effects of SCP-XXXX typically last from four to six hours. Although the effects are temporary and will subsidize over time, an individual may develop post traumatic stress from the event after they return to a functioning state-of-mind. Whether or not the individual realizes that there was no emergency depends on the nature of the alert and the individual themselves.
Addendum 1: Discovery
The first documented instance of SCP-XXXX had occurred May 15th, [DATA EXPUNGED] at 0215 EST. The individual, Mr. ███████ from New York, 25, had received an emergency message through his television. Whether or not that this was the first instance of SCP-XXXX is unknown.
The following interview with the individual was conducted by Dr. Mallok three days after exposure to SCP-XXXX.
Interviewed: Mr. ███████, Queens, New York
Interviewer: Dr. Steve Mallok, Site-64
Foreword: Mr. ███████ was picked up by Foundation Staff after the individual visited a clinic concerning a spike in paranoia and anxiety. The individual has no history of severe anxiety, and had only developed it after receiving the message. The Foundation had filed a possible anomaly and had requested an interview with the individual.
<Begin Log, May 18th, [DATA EXPUNGED], 1433Z>
Dr. Mallok: Good afternoon, Mr. Robert ███████. I am Dr. Steve Mallok. I am just going to ask you a few questions regarding the emergency alert that you had received three days ago.
Mr. ███████: [slight fumbling of the microphone, possibly due to adjustment] Alright.
Dr. Mallok: So, describe to me what happened.
Mr. ███████: Okay, so I was watching some late-night TV around, [indistinct mumbling] two in the morning? Nothing eventful, just some normal late-night talk-shows. About 30 minutes in, the screen goes red and one of them emergency alerts comes up, bleating out that loud-ass beeping sound. Scared the life outta me, that's for sure. The screen said it was an emergency alert, but didn't state what kind. Weather? Crime? North Korea? I dunno. [The microphone fumbles again] I was interested for sure. That automated voice started talking after the thing was done beeping, and I immediately felt, like, stupid uncomfortable. Dunno why, but I felt funny. The thing said there was an emergency in the area, and said that it was going to give instructions that were important to my safety. Something about this thing creeped me the hell out. I tried to change the channel, but nothin' was working.
Dr. Mallok: Wait, you could not change the channel?
Mr. ███████: Yeah, thought my.. uh.. remote was busted or somethin'.
Dr. Mallok: Interesting. [writing] Please continue.
Mr. ███████: So, the thing kept saying "Do not fall asleep." about three or four times. As it said that, I suddenly felt, like, really paranoid. I started sweating and had started worrying about my own safety. My rationale was that this emergency had something to do with sleep and that whatever it was warning me against might kill me or somethin', I dunno. I couldn't think, I just got really worried. Once that message ended, it played it again about two times, saying the same thing. Gave me chills every time I heard that thing say "Do not fall asleep". After the message repeated, like, 3 times, my TV just turned off. I tried to turn it back on, but nothin' worked. I was alone in the dark, everything was quiet, and I could not help but lock all of my doors and turn the lights on. The thing said not to fall asleep, and in my fear and paranoia, I didn't. I drank an energy drink or two to stay awake and hid in the corner of my apartment, alone with my anxiety. I heard noises.. like.. people in distress. I thought that those people fell asleep or something, I don't know… I couldn't think straight. All I heard was that and that beeping from the alert… but I didn't fall asleep. I wasn't going to.
Dr. Mallok: Do you have any history of severe anxiety like this?
Mr. ███████: [clears his throat] not once in my life, sir.
Dr. Mallok: You certainly do not seemed stressed or paranoid currently, so when would you say that these emotions subsided?
Mr. ███████: I'd say about four or five hours later? I suddenly felt more relieved and less paranoid, and I stopped hearing things. I fell asleep immediately and woke up fresh. Concerned about what happened, I went to see a doctor about that sudden anxiety attack that lasted so long. They could not explain it, and said that they would give me a follow-up once they look into it.
Dr. Mallok: Have their been any other events similar to this one with either you or somebody you know?
Mr. ███████: I don't know..
Dr. Mallok: Very well, that's all I need to know. Please take this and you will be escorted back to your house. [Dr. Mallok gives Mr. ███████ a Class-B Amnestic, who was observed ingesting it, prior to escort]
<End Log, May 18th, [DATA EXPUNGED], 1450Z>
Closing Statement: Based on events described by Mr. ███████, The Foundation has deemed the event an anomaly and began an investigation regarding the Emergency Alert System and any cases of severe emotional outbreaks. No further information at this time.
The investigation lasted for approximately four days as more anomalies similar to the one experienced by Mr. ███████ had occurred. Researchers, inspecting and testing devices that displayed the messages on D-Class personnel, had assessed that the emergency alerts were causing the severe anxiety within an individual.
Addendum 2: Example Instance
The following is a recurring SCP-XXXX message that was discovered on multiple contained devices.
NOTICE: This message has been analyzed and has posed no effect to past researchers. However, remain cautious and report any anomalies concerning your mental health to the nearest research supervisor.
The message below was extracted from SCP-XXXX-985, a mobile phone, received at 0145 EST:
EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
—-
THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN SENT AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
THIS IS NOT A TEST
AN EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED IN YOUR AREA. INSTRUCTIONS BELOW ARE VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY.
—-
REMAIN WITHIN YOUR HOME. IF OUTSIDE, SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
SECURE ALL POSSIBLE ENTRY POINTS OF YOUR HOME.
TURN OFF ALL LIGHTS AND BLOCK ALL WINDOWS
DO NOT SPEAK. DO NOT SPEAK.
DO NOT RESPOND TO OR INVESTIGATE KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR
DO NOT INVESTIGATE ANY NOISE EMANATING OUTSIDE OF YOUR FIELD OF VIEW
DO NOT INVESTIGATE ANY LIGHTS FROM OUTSIDE YOUR LOCATION
KEEP ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD WITHIN THE SAME ROOM. REFRAIN FROM MOVING TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ALONE.
IF AN UNIDENTIFIED FIGURE IS SEEN INSIDE YOUR HOME, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COMMUNICATE OR INVESTIGATE. MOVE AWAY FROM THE AREA AND LOCK ALL DOORS BEHIND YOU.
DO NOT SPEAK. DO NOT SPEAK.
DO NOT LOOK AT THE CEILING.
DO NOT FALL ASLEEP.
REMAIN CALM.
—-
IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS LISTED ABOVE AS IT IS VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY.
END OF MESSAGE.
Incident 2/[REDACTED]/2019: On February [DATA EXPUNGED], 2019, a TV within a break room in Site-██ received an emergency alert. Two individuals, one junior researcher and her supervisor, were present when the instance occurred.
The following is a transcript of the alert, recorded by the supervisor within the break room.
WARNING: The following transcript is a possible cognitohazard. Several researchers have expressed rising anxiety and paranoia upon reading. Report any anomalies with your mental health to the nearest research supervisor.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
ISSUED BY CIVIL AUTHORITIES
EMERGENCY ACTION NOTICE
—-AN EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED IN YOUR AREA. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY AND TO THOSE AROUND YOU.
REMAIN SILENT.
LOCK ALL DOORS AND BLOCKADE WINDOWS. SEEK SHELTER IN WINDOWLESS ROOM.
DO NOT ANSWER OR INVESTIGATE ANY VOICES.
CLASP HANDS TOGETHER AND SIT AGAINST WALL.
REMAIN SILENT. DO NOT SPEAK.
DO NOT SPEAK.
DO NOT REACT TO TOUCH OR SUDDEN MOTION.
DO NOT INVESTIGATE ANY NOISES.
DO NOT LOOK AT THE WALLS.
DO NOT USE ANY LIGHT OR SOUND-EMITTING DEVICE.
IF A FAMILY MEMBER GOES MISSING, DO NOT SEARCH FOR THEM.
DO NOT SPEAK. REMAIN SILENT. DO NOT SPEAK.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AS IT IS VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY AND TO THOSE AROUND YOU. THIS MESSAGE WILL BE REPEATED EVERY MINUTE UNTIL ALL-CLEAR.
GOOD LUCK.
The message was repeated three times before the TV system became inoperable. Approximately ten minutes after the message was broadcasted, Dr. █████ had entered the break room to find the two individuals with their backs against the wall in a fetal position. The two researchers were escorted to mental health and interviewed afterwards.
Interviewed: Dr. Harris, Junior Researcher, Site-██ and Dr. Amadeus, Research Supervisor, Site-██
Interviewer: Dr. Cornelius, Site-██
Foreword: Dr. Harris, 26, and Dr. Amadeus, 42, were discovered in the break room against the wall with their hands clasped over their heads, sitting in a fetal position. The researchers were escorted to mental health, initially resisting out of extreme fear. Possible exposure to SCP-XXXX.
<Begin Log>
Dr. Cornelius: What happened in that break room?
Dr. Harris: [mutters, falling silent. She looks down at the table]
Dr. Amadeus: The TV… [he stops to catch his breath] broadcasting the weather… suddenly loud beeping.. emergency alert… [he trails off. His voice flutters, seemingly still suffering from an anxiety attack]
Dr. Harris: It warned us of an emergency.. we had no idea.. but when I.. I heard that message, I just became overwhelmed with fear. I thought it was a containment breach or something.. I didn't know what to do. We.. we both followed the instructions.. and hoped that it'd pass. [she is noticeably shaking. Occasionally, she darts her eyes around]
Dr. Amadeus: [takes a deep breath] We sat there.. scared for our lives. All we did was follow the instructions and hope that we'd survive. I could have sworn I heard people in distress and even SCP-███ nearby.. plus those beeps..
Dr. Cornelius: You wrote down the transcript of the alert as if you knew there was something wrong with it. Your handwriting kinda starts getting shaky around the end, sure, but it seems like you knew?
Dr. Amadeus: I did.. well.. at least I thought I did. I wrote it down knowing something was wrong, but as that automated voice kept droning on.. all I felt was just a.. a rush of paranoia and anxiety, and just stopped thinking rationally and just acted based on fear of what that message could have possibly been talking about.
Dr. Cornelius: I understand.. that's all I need from you two. Return to mental health for further evaluation.
<End Log>
Closing Statement: The two researchers were escorted to mental health, spending about an hour calming down and returning to a functioning state-of-mind. Neither researcher has had a history of mental breakdowns or severe anxiety. The TV was disconnected and put into containment for further evaluation. The Site Director was notified of the event, who proceeded to put the entire facility on lockdown, disconnecting it from the Foundation network for a short time until it was verified that no further instances of SCP-XXXX were broadcasted.
Incident 4/5/19: On April 5th, 2019, an individual living in [REDACTED], California had received an instance of SCP-XXXX through their phone at 1323 PDT. The individual, Mr. ██████ ████████████, was at home with his young child when he had received the alert. According to the individual during questioning, the message had stated to not speak or make any sound. He stated that his child had not listened to him after repeatedly help his child to remain quiet out of fear of the unidentified emergency, which caused him to, in a mindless state of fear, smother the child to keep it quiet, resulting in the their death. Due to exposure to SCP-XXXX, the Foundation detained the individual, confiscating the device and questioning him on the matter. After questioning, he was turned in to the local authorities.
Researcher's Note: As stated before, our biggest fear is what SCP-XXXX would cause somebody to do in order to make sure these safety instructions were followed. Sure, it may depend on the individual themselves and their mental state, but you never know who's going to inflict harm on themselves or other people, even close family, just to make sure the safety instructions are followed. Fear drives people. Sometimes, it drives them off right off the ledge, and SCP-XXXX is the one cutting the brakes.
