MARIETTA, Ga. -- Law enforcement agencies across metro Atlanta are on high alert after reports of numerous e-mail and phone-based bomb threats being made to government offices and businesses alike.
Authorities in Cobb, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties have already confirmed threats with Cobb actually having to evacuate some buildings.
The threats there were first reported around 2 p.m. at the Cobb County Superior Court House, the Cobb Police Department headquarters, E-911 and precinct offices 1 and 4. The city of Marietta was also working a courthouse bomb threat.
Cobb officials said these threats were allegedly made by e-mail.
The alerts come as bomb threats have popped up around the U.S. - and in various parts of Georgia.
Both Atlanta and Gwinnett police departments confirm threats made to local businesses.
"We encourage everyone to report suspicious activities and suspicious items to police immediately," Atlanta police spokesperson Lisa Bender said. "At this time we continue investigating these threats."
Gwinnett said that their bomb squads have not been called out, yet, to any of the scenes so far and the threats haven't appeared credible.
Threats have also been reported at various schools in the state. Thursday morning, five separate DeKalb County schools were threatened. They either were placed on lockdown or evacuated.
DeKalb schools under lockdown after bomb threats
One threat has also been reported in Cartersville on South Erwin Street though details are still limited.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is also investigating six separate reports from multiple businesses and private residents who received the bomb threat by e-mail demanding a ransom of cryptocurrency.
On social media, the sheriff's office said that the emails appear to originate outside the United States and that they do not believe these are a legitimate threat. However, they're asking anyone who receives one of these emails to keep them and call 911 so that law enforcement can complete a report.
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said they, too, are investigating reports of threats against businesses and believe they aren't credible. They caution the public not to respond to these, as with any message of this type, either hang up or stop communicating with that person and call 911.
The FBI has since acknowledged the threats and they're working with local law enforcement agencies where the reports are coming in.
“We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance," a spokesperson with the FBI said Thursday. "As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”