With the election less than a month away, it’s important to take a look at voting and election scams. Technology continues to play an increasingly pivotal role in the voting process, so safeguarding elections from scams and fraud has become a critical concern.
Voting and election scams, which can range from voter suppression tactics to misinformation campaigns, threaten the democratic process by undermining public trust and manipulating outcomes. Understanding these threats is critical to maintaining the integrity of elections and keeping yourself and your business safe.
Read: The Best Practices Against Cyber Attacks
Common Types of Voting and Election Scams
- Misinformation: Misinformation campaigns are rampant during election seasons. Cyber criminals spread false or misleading information about voting dates and times, requirements or eligibility through social media platforms, email or text messages. They can also spread fake news articles or false claims about the candidates. These messages aim to intentionally confuse or intimidate voters, preventing or discouraging them from voting. For example, false information about polling station closures or changes in voter ID requirements may be spread to reduce voter turnout.
- Phishing scams: Phishing attacks are another method of deceiving voters. In these attacks, voters receive emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as election officials or campaign teams. These messages then ask voters to click on a link or update their voter registration information on a fake voter registration website, only to steal sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, which can then be used for identity theft or further fraud. These websites often resemble official state or government pages, making them difficult to distinguish from the real ones.
- Phone scams: Scammers may also call voters pretending to be election officials, asking for personal information to “verify” voter registration or eligibility. In some cases, they might claim the voter is not registered and offer to register them over the phone, collecting the voter’s sensitive information. Worse, scammers use AI-generated voices or fake audio to spread misinformation.
- Donation scams: Legitimate political campaigns often call supporters for donations, and cyber criminals know that. They then pose as fundraising volunteers and reach out to voters by phone, email or social media, asking for donations. Once the voter donates money, the scammer will take it.
- Fake surveys and polls: Political candidates learn about their constituents by surveying and polling people. Unfortunately, scammers can create fake surveys or polls to collect personal information. They contact you via phone, email, text or even in person to answer a few quick questions. After the questions, they often incentivize victims by offering a gift card. Then they ask for your credit card information, date of birth, driver’s license or Social Security to send the gift, except they never send it.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify sources: Always double-check the legitimacy of any information you receive regarding voting or elections, especially if it comes from an unfamiliar source. Stick to official government websites for accurate and up-to-date voting information; official election websites should end in “.gov”. You can check your polling location and voter registration information at https://www.usa.gov/voting-and-elections or https://vote.gov/.
- Beware of unsolicited communications: Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages asking for personal information or offering assistance with voter registration. Legitimate election officials will never request sensitive information like this. If you receive a suspicious message, contact your local election office directly to verify its legitimacy.
- Stay informed about election dates and rules: One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from scams is to stay informed about the correct election dates, voting requirements and polling locations in your area. This ensures that misinformation cannot mislead or deter you from participating in the election. For example, Election Day is the first Tuesday after November 1, and although there are some exceptions for military overseas using ballots via email or fax, no one can vote online or by text on Election Day. Remember, voter registration can’t be done by phone, email or test.
- Donate responsibly: If you want to donate, research legitimate fundraising organizations. Donate directly to the campaign through the candidate’s official website or the local campaign office. Don’t use fundraising links sent via email, text or social media.
- Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential election scam, report it to your local election officials or the FBI. By reporting suspicious activity, you can help prevent others from falling victim to these scams.
Stay Safe This Election Season
Election and voting scams undermine democracy by confusing voters, spreading misinformation and deterring participation. By staying informed, verifying sources and being cautious, you can protect yourself from potential harm and help preserve the integrity of the election process. Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have as U.S. citizens, and ensuring that it remains free, fair and secure is everyone’s responsibility.