How Criminals Use Elections to Steal Money and Info

The election process is integral to our nation’s democracy and at the forefront of many Americans’ minds. Unfortunately, criminals are trying to take advantage of this year’s election to target your data and cash.

Here are three common election-related scams and ways to protect yourself.

Voter registration scams

• Scammers may pose as election officials or volunteers, reaching out by phone, email or in person, offering to help you register or update your voter registration.
• These criminals often aim to steal your personal information or get you to download malware through phishing links, fake websites or malicious apps.
• Voter registration cannot be completed by phone, email or text.  And most importantly, there are never fees involved. The safest way to register is at an official government location, including on your election division’s website, or by mail.

Political donation scams

• Criminals may claim to represent a specific cause, political action committee or candidate, using high-pressure sales tactics to convince you to “donate.”
• In addition to stealing your hard-earned cash, scammers might try to obtain your personal information to commit identity theft.
• Always donate through the official website of a candidate or cause you support. Avoid clicking on links sent to you, and don’t trust caller ID, as it can be spoofed to mimic the phone number of a legitimate cause.

Fake surveys, petitions and polls

• You might be asked to sign a petition or answer questions for a political opinion poll or survey.
• Some scammers may offer a gift card or prize as an incentive to participate, but this is often a ploy to steal your personal information — including your credit card number to cover “taxes and shipping.”
• As with other election scams, avoid clicking on survey links from unsolicited emails and texts, and never share sensitive information such as your name, birth date, address, email, Social Security number or driver’s license number.

All of us can help preserve and protect democracy by spotting and reporting election-related scams to our local election office.