Protecting Yourself from Government Organization Scams During Election Season

Election season is upon us, and while the candidates are making their cases, scammers are working overtime to take advantage of the situation. These scammers might claim to be from a government agency or political group to trick you into giving personal information, making donations, or paying for non-existent services. The good news is, if you arm yourself with knowledge and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can dodge these con artists like a pro. Let’s get into how to keep your personal information safe from scams from government organizations.

Ignore Unsolicited Communication (Seriously)

Scammers often exploit the election season’s hustle and bustle to send emails, texts, phone calls or even carrier pigeons (okay, maybe not pigeons) asking for your personal info or donations. If you didn’t sign up for it, don’t engage. If you receive unexpected communication asking for personal information, donations, or votes, approach it with caution. Verify the legitimacy of the source before responding or providing any information.

Our Tip: Always check the official website of the organization or government agency in question. Contact them directly using verified contact information to confirm if the communication is legitimate.

Don’t Fall For Phishing Attempts

Phishing scams involve tricking you into giving up personal information like Social Security numbers, bank details, or login credentials. During election season, these scams may use official-looking emails or websites to lure you into entering sensitive information in the form of voter registration, campaign donations, or election updates.

Our Tip: Look for red flags like misspellings, strange email addresses, or suspicious website URLs. Government agencies and reputable organizations like Jovia will never ask for sensitive information via email.

Watch Out For Online Donations Scams

Political campaigns and advocacy groups often ask for donations online, and this is the perfect area for scammers to exploit. Political donation scams use a variety of methods to trick you into donating and fake donation sites can look surprisingly convincing. Make sure that any donation you make is going to the right place by looking at the URL and checking for secure connections.

Our Tip: Look for "https" in the web address before donating online. Avoid cash donations, and for political contributions, verify the site by contacting the campaign or using their official website.

Understand Your Voting Options

Scammers may pose as government officials offering to help you with voter registration or absentee ballots in exchange for personal information or payment. Know that official voting assistance is usually provided free of charge.

Our Tip: Visit your state or local election office’s website to get accurate information about voter registration and ballot requests. Reach out to these offices directly if you need assistance.

Recognize Fake Endorsements and Polls

Some scams involve fake endorsements from well-known figures or fabricated polls designed to manipulate or influence your vote. Be on the alert for ads or messages that seem too sensational or are pushing you to make quick decisions.

Our Tip: Check any endorsements or poll results with reliable news sources. Official endorsements and polling information will be reported by established media outlets and official channels.

Report Suspicious Activity

If you come across a potential scam, report it to the relevant authorities. In the U.S., this could be the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your local election office, or other consumer protection agencies. Reporting helps authorities track and fight these schemes.

Our Tip: Keep a record of any suspicious communications or interactions, including screenshots, emails, or notes about phone calls. This can be useful for investigations.

Make sure you are informing your elderly relatives about online scams as well. Con artists will target anyone and everyone. Staying informed and cautious is your best bet against government organization scams during election season. By recognizing the signs of fraud and knowing how to verify communications, you can protect yourself and ensure that your participation in the election process is both safe and secure.