{"id":132808,"date":"2024-10-28T17:53:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T21:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/?p=132808"},"modified":"2024-10-28T17:53:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T21:53:58","slug":"protect-yourself-avoiding-election-season-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/protect-yourself-avoiding-election-season-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Yourself: Avoiding Election Season Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/vote-e1730047589770.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-132815 size-medium\" title=\"Protect Yourself: Avoiding Election Season Scams\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/vote-e1730047589770-143x150.jpg?resize=143%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Protect Yourself: Avoiding Election Season Scams\" width=\"143\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>As we approach <strong>election day<\/strong>, we have all received more requests to sign petitions, fill out polls and surveys, and donate to causes and campaigns.\u00a0 <strong>Scammers<\/strong> know that political campaigns often ask for <strong>your information and money<\/strong>.\u00a0 Fraudsters are taking advantage of this avalanche of election messaging to pose as campaign workers.\u00a0 Be on guard; participating in the democratic process shouldn&#8217;t compromise your identity.\u00a0 Try these tips for performing your civic duty this November without getting duped by a scam.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Do your election research.<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/pol_beg.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-132816\" title=\"Scammers see elections as an opportunity to take advantage of people\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/pol_beg.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Scammers see elections as an opportunity to take advantage of people\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a>Do your election research to protect yourself from election-related scams.\u00a0 Scammers target elections as opportunities to take advantage of people.\u00a0 Additionally, fraudsters may call or email you, pretending to raise funds for a specific group or candidate.\u00a0 Therefore, before you donate, ensure you&#8217;re contributing to a legitimate organization.<\/p>\r\n<p>Furthermore,<strong> Take your time<\/strong>.\u00a0 Be wary of any caller or message using pressure tactics to raise funds.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Do your research<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>First, check the Federal Election Commission&#8217;s official <a title=\"Political action and party committees\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committees\/pac-party\/?cycle=2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">political action committees<\/a> list to confirm the <strong>PAC&#8217;s <\/strong>legitimacy.<\/li>\r\n<li>Second, you&#8217;re giving to a<strong> third-party non-profit<\/strong>, consult resources to verify the causes&#8217; status.\u00a0 Sites that help confirm a non-profit status include;\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a title=\"BBB Give.org\" href=\"https:\/\/give.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">BBB Give.org<\/a>,<\/li>\r\n<li><a title=\"Charity Navigator\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charitynavigator.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Charity Navigator<\/a>,<\/li>\r\n<li><a title=\"CharityWatch\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charitywatch.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">CharityWatch<\/a>, and<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/candid.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Candid<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>After researching and deciding to donate online, ensure the website is legitimate and the URL starts with &#8220;<strong>HTTPS<\/strong>.&#8221; Scammers can create copycat sites that look like the real thing.\u00a0 Alternatively, the safest way to donate is at a local campaign office.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Be stingy with your personal information.<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/pii_tc.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-132818\" title=\"scams to steal personal details.\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/pii_tc.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"scams to steal personal details.\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" \/><\/a>Security experts say that identity thieves have used election or voter registration scams to <strong>steal personal details<\/strong>.\u00a0 So, you should think twice about signing a petition at the farmer&#8217;s market or clicking on that link in the text urging you to register to vote.\u00a0 Suzanne Sando, Senior Analyst at <a title=\"Javelin Strategy\" href=\"https:\/\/javelinstrategy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Javelin Strategy &amp; Research,<\/a> <a title=\"Election season scams put your identity at risk\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allstateidentityprotection.com\/content-hub\/look-out-for-scams-this-election-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">warns<\/a>, <em>&#8220;Scam election-themed texts sneak in between legitimate communications.\u00a0 They take advantage of your sense of urgency and passion about the election, especially since the last few elections have been so emotionally charged.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p>If you fill out a voter petition or survey, be picky about what you share.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Never give out your Social Security or driver&#8217;s license number.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li>Don&#8217;t be afraid to ask if specific fields are required.<br \/>\u2022 Be wary when a campaign worker or pollster offers you a gift card for filling out a political survey.\u00a0 <strong>Political campaigns don&#8217;t offer prizes or rewards.<\/strong> <br \/>\u2022 <strong>Never give out your financial information<\/strong>, such as credit card numbers or bank account details, when participating in a poll or survey.\u00a0 Pollsters may ask for demographic or political affiliation information but should never need more.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>AI impact on the election<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-132821\" title=\"A robocall is an automated phone call that delivers a pre-recorded message\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?resize=125%2C124&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A robocall is an automated phone call that delivers a pre-recorded message\" width=\"125\" height=\"124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?resize=75%2C75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?resize=768%2C763&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/AI_dialer.jpg?w=817&amp;ssl=1 817w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/a>Since 2022, there has been an explosion in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate robocalls.\u00a0 Every person in the U.S. is estimated to get <a title=\"The Robocall Epidemic: Which states are hit hardest by spam calls\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whistleout.com\/CellPhones\/Guides\/robocall-epidemic-state-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">161 robocalls per year<\/a>.\u00a0 <strong>A robocall is an automated phone call that delivers a pre-recorded message.\u00a0 <\/strong>They typically rely on a computerized autodialer, a system that can place multiple calls delivering the same message simultaneously.\u00a0 It&#8217;s a robot making a phone call, hence the name &#8220;robocall.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n<p>AI can be exploited to create sophisticated <strong>robocalls<\/strong> that impersonate credible sources, <strong>manipulate voter sentiment, or spread misinformation<\/strong>.\u00a0 In response to the spread of this type of fraud, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/document\/fcc-makes-ai-generated-voices-robocalls-illegal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">AI-generated calls illegal<\/a>.\u00a0 It&#8217;s essential to be skeptical of any unexpected calls you receive from someone claiming to be a particular political candidate or celebrity, such as <a title=\"FCC Outlaws Use Of AI-Faked Voices In Robocalls\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/personal-finance\/fcc-bans-ai-voices-in-robocalls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift<\/a>, <a title=\"Can you spot the celebrity 'deepfakes' in a new ad warning against election disinfo?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/can-spot-celebrity-deepfakes-new-ad-warning-election-disinfo-rcna175647\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">President Biden<\/a>, or <a title=\"AI Technology and Celebrity Deepfakes: A Concerning Trend\" href=\"https:\/\/www.resemble.ai\/celebrity-ai-fakes-concerning-trend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Elon Musk<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Election call spoofing<\/h3>\r\n<p>Another way scammers try to get your information is through spoofed calls.\u00a0 The caller ID on your mobile may say the call is from a campaign or organization&#8217;s office, but this can be faked.\u00a0 Spoofing occurs when a person hides behind a phone number that&#8217;s not assigned to the phone they&#8217;re calling from.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Social Media<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/SM_sign-e1730139251126.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-132822\" title=\"Social media\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/SM_sign-e1730139251126-134x150.jpg?resize=100%2C112&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Social media\" width=\"100\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/SM_sign-e1730139251126.jpg?resize=134%2C150&amp;ssl=1 134w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/SM_sign-e1730139251126.jpg?resize=67%2C75&amp;ssl=1 67w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rbach.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/SM_sign-e1730139251126.jpg?w=752&amp;ssl=1 752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>Always perform these steps when interacting with a candidate or cause on social media.\u00a0 First, before clicking a link in an election-themed social post, give it a once-over for phishing hallmarks.\u00a0 Phishing hallmarks include<strong> blurry images and typos<\/strong>.\u00a0 Hover your mouse over any links before clicking on them.\u00a0 Next, be wary before sharing or re-posting election-related content you find online.\u00a0 AI is increasingly being used to <strong>spread election disinformation<\/strong> and trick voters.\u00a0 Do your research before sharing anything you find online.\u00a0 Finally,<strong> trust\u00a0your gut<\/strong>.\u00a0 If they seem to be asking for too much information, do not share your information.<\/p>\r\n<h3><em>rb-<\/em><\/h3>\r\n<p><em>If you practice good cyber hygiene, the issues surrounding election-time scams are manageable.\u00a0 It is important to remember several facts about voting.\u00a0 It matters; this is your chance to support and voice your opinion.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p><em>You must be registered to vote.\u00a0 If you register to vote publicly, opt to hand-deliver or mail in the required form rather than leave it behind.\u00a0 Better yet, visit <a title=\"Vote.gov\" href=\"https:\/\/vote.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">Vote.gov<\/a> or <a title=\"How to register to vote\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/register-to-vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">your local election office<\/a> to register.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>You can only submit your vote in the ballot box or via an absentee ballot. <\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Ignore claims that you can register to vote or cast your ballot by phone, text, or email in exchange for sharing your personal information.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Related article<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a title=\"The fight for evidence-based election security\" href=\"https:\/\/news.umich.edu\/the-fight-for-evidence-based-election-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">The fight for evidence-based election security<\/a>\u00a0(<a title=\"University of Michigan\" href=\"https:\/\/umich.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener ugc\">University of Michigan<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><em><a title=\"Ralph Bach\" href=\"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/new-resume\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ralph Bach<\/a> has been in IT for a while and has blogged from the\u00a0<a title=\"Bach Seat\" href=\"https:\/\/rbach.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bach Seat<\/a> about IT, careers, and anything else that has caught my attention since 2005.\u00a0 You can follow me on <a title=\"Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ralph.bach.14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a title=\"Mastodon\" href=\"https:\/\/mastodon.social\/@rbnetinfo\" rel=\"nofollow \">Mastodon<\/a>.\u00a0 Email the Bach Seat <a title=\"Email Bach Seat\" href=\"mailto:\/\/bach.seat@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stay vigilant this election season! Scammers are posing as campaign workers to steal your personal info and money this election.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3719,32,3752,2811,951,2328,3756],"class_list":["post-132808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-3719","tag-business","tag-deepfakes","tag-election","tag-pii","tag-taylor-swift","tag-vote"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132808"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132808\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":132835,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132808\/revisions\/132835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}