ELECTION SCAMS- Scammers are Still after Your Money, Not Your Vote

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are both warning voters to watch out for spoofed emails and websites that may appear to be election related, but in reality are designed to collect your personal information or install malware onto your computer or device.

Many of the bad actors are scammers who are trying to commit identity theft like in other scams that you may have heard about. Others may be trying to spread disinformation that disrupts our election process.

Scammers can spoof legitimate organizations like local government/volunteer election related web sites or campaign organizations. They can use email (phishing email), websites, or even text messages to try to lure you to click on a link that asks for your personal information or installs malware. Others will rely on robocalls to try to lure you.

Often spoofed emails or websites can look just like it is from a legitimate real organization except for some small differences. The FBI and CISA point out that minor spelling errors such as “electon” for “election” can be indicators of a fake email or website. Also, in any web addresses a small deviation from a legitimate web address such as a misspelling or a different domain than a legitimate domain (“[.]com” instead of “[.]gov”) can be an indication that it is a fake link or website.

Scammers frequently try to get their victims emotional so that they act without thinking. With the COVID 19 pandemic dragging on and a contentious election in progress a scammer might use inflammatory language to encourage you to take an action that in reality reveals your personal information or distributes disinformation. Analyze any email, text, or website for emotional content. Before taking any recommended action, take a deep breath, wait a few minutes, ask a friend for their opinion on the email or website. Take some time to independently verify web addresses, web sites, and organizations.

This is a time to be especially alert to scammers and disinformation. Scammers take advantage of what is in the news to collect our money and information. Report suspicious or criminal online activity to:

www.ic3.gov

Here is more information about scammers trying to take advantage of the election,

 

FBI/CISA:

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2020/PSA201002

 

Identity Theft Resource Center:

https://www.idtheftcenter.org/election-scams-begin-to-surface-with-the-general-election-less-than-one-month-away/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=TMIEmail101320&utm_campaign=TMIElectionScams

 

Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/scammers-seize-on-u-s-election-but-its-not-votes-they-want/

 

Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/10/20/how-to-cast-your-vote-against-election-scams/#4ea5e8383be1

 

NBC7 San Diego:

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/scammers-are-mimicking-ballot-tracking-text-service/2421308/