Election season is here, and while the candidates are contending for your vote, scammers are on the prowl, targeting your wallet and personal information. Here are four sneaky schemes you need to watch out for this election season to keep your finances and identity safe.
Ballot Scams
Scammers are increasingly targeting voters with fake “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking sites, designed to collect your personal and financial information. To ensure your data stays secure, always use official election resources for tracking your ballot and other voting-related inquiries. For reliable information, visit your local election authority’s website or check official state resources to track your ballot and verify your voting status.
Voter Registration Scams
Fake voter registration schemes are also on the rise. Scammers are using various tactics like deceptive phone calls, fraudulent voter registration drives, and phishing links sent via email or text, to steal your personal information and gain access to your devices. Note that the safest measures to register to vote are by doing so online, by mail or in person at your local election office.
Campaign Fundraising Scams
Like fake voter registration links, scammers are increasingly using phishing tactics to gain campaign contributions. It is common that scammers reach out via phone call to request donations or send phishing emails and text messages with donation links designed to steal your personal and financial information. To ensure your contributions are going to the right place, always donate through official, verified campaign websites.
Political Survey and Poll Scams
Scammers often exploit opinion polls during election season to phish for sensitive information. Although legitimate surveys might ask for general details about your political views and demographics, like age or race, they should never request sensitive information. Furthermore, if a survey or poll offers a prize, it is wise to steer clear, as genuine political polls hardly ever provide rewards and would never ask for financial details.
If you or someone you know has possibly encountered an election scam, here are the next steps the National Association of Secretaries of State has suggested to take:
- Made a donation? Or shared your financial information? Contact your financial institution to close or change any compromised accounts.
- Visit IdentityTheft.gov from the Federal Trade Commission to create a personalized plan for recovery.
- Find out where to report the scam by visiting FightCybercrime.org.
- Provided personal information? Visit annualcreditreport.com to check your credit report for unusual activity.
Additionally, if you believe your personal information may have been misused or compromised, do not hesitate to reach out to the specialized identity theft recovery professionals that are available to you as a SESLOC HomeFREE Checking account holder.1 They are prepared to help you assess any compromised information and take the necessary steps to address and resolve any identity fraud issues swiftly.
1 Identity Theft Recovery + Mobile Phone Coverage (“Program”) is provided by NXG Strategies, LLC., and are included as part of HomeFREE Checking. There is no pre-registration required. By participating in the HomeFREE Checking account the primary accountholder is accepting the terms and conditions of the Program. See sesloccares.nxgstrategies.com for terms and conditions of the Program, or request a copy of the terms and conditions by visiting any SESLOC branch office. You retain the option to utilize these services as long as you are a HomeFREE Checking accountholder, subject to terms and conditions
