Common Election Related Scams

The Better Business Bureau, the Identity Theft Resource Center, and the National Association of State Election Directors have warned the public to be aware of voter and election-related scams, especially in the weeks and months leading up to an election.

Scammers may want to deter you from voting, influence your vote and steal your personal and financial information which can lead to identity and financial theft.

Voter Registration Scams

In the United States voters typically vote at designated government sanctioned locations or by mail via a mail in ballot. Knowing the rules is important, scammers may try to convince voters that they can vote or register to vote by email, text, by using an app or by phone.

Another tactic scammers may use involves fake voter registration forms, you might receive the fake form in a text or email message, their goal is to get voters to fill out the forms and collect personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, usernames and passwords, and payment information which they can use for fraud and identity theft.

Protect Yourself

Never respond to any type of correspondence asking for your personal information.

Contact your state or local election office to learn how to register to vote, update your voter registration or get answers to other voting related topics.

If someone contacts you about anything related to voting or upcoming elections be suspicious.

Voter registration drives are common at public events like festivals, fairs, and other community venues. While some of these may be legitimate the Identity Theft Resource Center warns you should not fill out the registration form at the event, instead take the form home and fill it out, then mail it or deliver it in person at an election office. Forms left on tables during an event can be lost or stolen.

Robocalls

Artificial intelligence (AI) can fake a well-known candidates voice, prior to the last Presidential election voters in New Hampshire received a robocall from what sounded like Joe Biden warning them not to vote. In response, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling that made “voice cloning technology used in common robocall scams” illegal. Robocalls are designed to gather personal information which you should never provide.

Protect Yourself

Be skeptical of any phone call you receive related to voting. Either hang up or don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

Scammers are using AI technology to record your voice when you answer their calls, they can use the voice recording for fraudulent activity leading to identity theft and financial loss.

Donation Scams

Criminals may pose as political candidates or fundraising volunteers to trick voters into donating money.

Requests may come from fake political action committees (PACs). The FBI defines scam PACs as “fraudulent political action committees designed to reroute political contributions for personal gain,” which is a federal crime.

Some political organizations even if legitimate may not use the donated money as they should and only a tiny portion of your donation goes to the cause they are representing.

Protect Yourself

Never respond to requests for donations, instead if you want to donate to a specific cause or candidate donate directly to the candidate via their website or campaign office.

Don’t trust caller ID, scammers use spoofing to impersonate legitimate numbers.

Block calls from unknown callers.

Fake Surveys & Petitions

While there are many legitimate political surveys, there are just as many run by criminals, they are designed to gather your personal information to use for fraud and identity theft. Even legitimate organizations may not properly safeguard the information you provide.

They might contact you by phone, text, in person or through email and may offer gift cards or other rewards for participating.

Protect Yourself

Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you asking you to participate in a survey or fill out a petition.

A legitimate survey may ask how you to plan to vote, what political party you align with, your age and location but they should not ask for any personal information including your name. If they do, don’t participate it is not worth the risk.

Don’t click on survey links in email or text messages.

If you are offered a gift card or prize to participate it is a scam.

For more information on voting and elections and to report a scam use the following resources:

Contact your state and local election officials to report the scam.

The National Association of State Election Directors provides a guide on Ensuring and Securing Your Vote.

Visit USA.gov https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote for information on registering to vote.

The U.S. Department of Justice provides voting and elections information for voters as well as state and local elections officials. https://www.justice.gov/voting

If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft visit IdentityTheft.gov from the Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get a recovery plan. https://www.identitytheft.gov/