August 15, 2024

Tips to Help You Avoid Voter Scams

About Tori Thurmond

Tori Thurmond combines her creative writing background with her marketing experience in her role as the Content Specialist at Brookdale. When she's not writing, she's probably spending time with her two cats or knitting.

Between cheering on the U.S. in Paris this summer and the upcoming presidential election this fall, we’re feeling especially patriotic this year! Since 2020, the complexity and believability of scams attempting to acquire people’s personal information have become more advanced. Here’s a list of common voter scams to look out for and tips to help you avoid falling victim to cybercrime.

Donations

For many people, donating to a political campaign is a primary way of expressing their support. But you want to make sure your donation goes where you want it to. Donation scams are on the rise as technology continues to advance. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General, available technology makes it possible for scammers to impersonate a political campaign phone number, a practice also referred to as “spoofing.”

Luckily, there are ways to help reduce the risk of a donation scam. If you see a number you don’t recognize, don’t answer your phone. Most likely, if it’s someone you’re expecting a call from, they’ll leave a message. However, with spoofing entering the scene, caller ID may not always be reliable. If you receive a call from a candidate you would like to support, don’t make a donation over the phone. Instead, request alternate donation options, or visit the candidate’s official campaign website and donate there.

Surveys and Polls

During election season, you might be asked to participate in a survey or poll. These tools can be helpful to campaigns or organizations to better understand public opinion. But how do you know it’s real, or a scammer pretending to be someone else (commonly known as “phishing”)? The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) notes that fake surveys and polls may promise free prizes, like gift cards, for participating in the survey, but candidates rarely use prizes as an incentive.

If you choose to participate in a survey or poll, be mindful of the information you’re providing. Don’t disclose information like your date of birth, your social security number, your driver’s license number or other personal information. You should also be wary of any unsolicited material you receive in your email or on your social media. Don’t click on unsolicited links, as they may be related to a phishing scam.

Registration

Around election time, voter registration reminders pop up everywhere. Before clicking on or answering any registration links or inquiries, make sure these requests are coming from a reliable source. The safest option is to register to vote by mail, but if you register online, just make sure you don’t click on any unsolicited links. If you receive a phone call regarding voting or your registration, follow up about any information you’re not sure about with your local election office. Keep in mind that modern artificial intelligence (AI) technology can mimic voices, including those of your politicians. To prevent falling victim to a registration scam, don’t give out any personal information over the phone, and don’t be afraid to end the conversation if you feel uncomfortable.

A Few More Helpful Tips

Don’t let anyone pressure you into giving them your personal information. A common tactic of scammers is to make people feel rushed or flustered. Walk away from the situation or hang up the phone if you’re suspicious about the conversation. It’s better to take the time to verify the legitimacy of a request than to accidentally give up important information.
When in doubt, contact your local election office. (You can find it at www.usa.gov/state-election-office.) If you hear conflicting information about voting locations, voting materials, or other election information, reach out to the source directly to confirm what information is accurate and what might be misinformation.
Scams can take place through email, text, social media, the internet, over the phone, and in person. Stay vigilant; if you weren’t expecting an email or text, make sure to avoid clicking on any links. Likewise, if you don’t recognize a number or weren’t expecting a phone call regarding your voting information, don’t give away any personal information.

If you do fall victim to a voting scam and are worried one of your accounts was compromised, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. You can also check your bank account or credit report for suspicious activity. There are professionals who can help you find a resolution and hopefully minimize any damage.

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or financial advice or counseling from an attorney or financial advisor and should not be relied upon for making legal, financial or other decisions. Never disregard professional legal or financial advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site. Please consult your attorney or financial advisor before acting on any content on this website. Reference to any products, services, third parties or links to third-party websites does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of such products, services, or third parties by Brookdale or its affiliates.}