Don’t Get Caught in an Election Scam
It’s time to get out and vote! Unfortunately, it’s also a time of rampant scams. Fraudsters love using the intensity of elections to con victims out of their information and money.
Don’t be a victim! Here are four election scams to watch for this time of year and how to avoid them.
1. Bogus political donations
The scam
A target receives a call, email, social media or text message asking them to make a donation to a candidate’s campaign. The scammer may provide a link to a website that looks just like the official campaign site. If the target makes a donation, they’ll only be lining a scammer’s pockets.
Red flags
The target is urged to make a donation now and is requested to do so by wire transfer or prepaid card. They may also be asked to share personal details, such as their credit card information and checking account details.
Stay safe
Always verify a website before donating to a cause. If unsure, exit the alleged campaign site you’ve linked to and find the official site on your own. Also, don’t let Caller ID convince you of authenticity. Scammers can easily spoof a political campaign’s phone number.
2. Voter registration scams
The scam
Here, fraudsters posing as election officials offer to help you register to vote. They may contact you by phone, email or even door-to-door visits. They’ll ask for personal information under the guise of helping you register to vote, such as your Social Security and driver’s license numbers, claiming it’s necessary to complete the task. Once they have this info, they’ll steal your identity or sell your data on the dark web.
Red flags
If you’re asked for your Social Security number, or to share details about your financial information, when allegedly registering to vote, you’re looking at a scam.
Stay safe
It’s important to know you do not have to share your Social Security number or any financial information when registering to vote. If you’d like to register, visit your state’s .gov website to get started.
3. Phishing emails and texts
The scam
Scammers send emails or text messages which look as if they’re from a legitimate political party, candidate or government agency. The message may ask you to click a link to verify your voter registration, update your information or donate. Unfortunately, the link takes you to a fraudulent site that captures your information and/or installs malware on your device.
Red flags
If you notice poor grammar, spelling errors and unusual URLs in any communication asking you to click a link or share info, you’re likely looking at a scam.
Stay safe
Strengthen your spam settings and ensure your device security is updated with the most recent patches. Block any numbers that send you fraudulent text messages as well.
4. Election survey scams
Scammers pose as pollsters conducting political surveys, offering rewards like gift cards or cash for participation. After you answer a few questions, they ask for personal or financial information, claiming it’s needed to deliver your reward. Of course, they’ll use this to steal your identity or empty your accounts.
Red flags
If you’re asked to share personal and/or financial information to participate in an election survey or poll, you’re being targeted by a scam. Similarly, if you’re asked to pay a fee to process a reward for participating in a survey, it’s likely a scam.
Stay safe
Stick to trusted, established organizations when participating in surveys and polls. Never share personal information with an unverified source.