The bomb scare that abruptly ended former vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro's speech at the Law School Wednesday night was a hoax, Harvard Police said yesterday.

At about 8 p.m., Harvard police received notice that a bomb had been placed in Austin Hall, where Ferraro was speaking.

Forum organizers told Ferraro that there was a "security problem" and informed the audience was that there would only be time for a few questions before "mechanical problems" would cause a black out in the building.

Ferraro was escorted to a reception in Pound Hall, and the evening ended without any mishap.

"There was no device found," Deputy Chief of Police Jack W. Morse said of the bomb scare. He said that there will be an investigation.

The bomb threat was made via an anonymous telephone call to WBZ radio. WBZ officials refused to comment yesterday on the nature or contents of that threat.

Forum President James W. Peck-Gray said that to his knowledge there has never been a bomb threat at a forum. He said that the scare is not anticipated to have any effect on future speakers.