As Election Day approaches, scammers are finding new ways to deceive voters. Several media reports are highlighting a new scam where people receive a text message falsely claiming they are not yet registered to vote. Election officials are warning Americans to be cautious of these scam messages, as more are expected to circulate in the weeks leading up to the general election.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
What you need to know
The local Channel 4 affiliate WDIV in Detroit warned about a new text message wave in late August that could prevent registered voters from casting their ballot. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported a similar incident around the same time, warning Pennsylvanians to be wary of potential scam text messages targeting voters.
A spokesperson for the Department of State said voters should expect more of these messages to be sent in the weeks leading up to the general election. “Voters should be aware that opportunistic bad actors may attempt to use this campaign season to send phishing or smishing emails/texts,” Matt Heckel, a spokesperson for the department, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Both these reports and several others refer to a text message that is linked to the site all-vote.com: “We have you in our records as not registered to vote. Check your registration status and register in 2 minutes.”
DON’T FALL PREY TO THIS ELECTION SEASON’S CRAFTIEST SCAMS
How do you know if the text is a scam?
For one, the domain all-vote.com isn’t associated with the government. Another clue is that even people who were already registered to vote in their state received this message. WDIV even interviewed a seventh-grader from Canada who said he also got the text, despite not being eligible to vote.
A quick search on Who.Is lookup shows the domain was registered on July 10, 2024—definitely a red flag. Krebsonsecurity mentioned that some of these texts are also linking to another domain, votewin.org, which asks for your name, address, email, date of birth, and phone number when you visit.
They even pre-check boxes to sign you up for more notifications. The government doesn’t need all that info from you. To register to vote or to update your voter registration, all you need to do is visit vote.gov and select your state or region.
FAKE SOFTWARE FIXES FUEL MONEY-STEALING MALWARE THREAT
5 ways to avoid election text scam
1) Unsolicited contact: If you receive a message from an unknown number or an unexpected source, especially one claiming urgency (like registering to vote), it could be a scam.
2) Suspicious links: Scammers often use fake links that appear legitimate but redirect you to phishing websites. Always hover over links or check the domain carefully. In the case of “all-vote.com,” if it’s not a well-known or official site (like .gov for US voting), it’s worth being suspicious.
3) Grammatical errors: Many scam messages contain typos, awkward phrasing, or grammatical mistakes. This can be a red flag for phishing or scam attempts.
4) Requests for personal information: Legitimate organizations typically don’t ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords via text. Scams often do.
5) Have strong antivirus software: The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious texts, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
My top pick is TotalAV, and you can get a limited-time deal for CyberGuy readers: $19 your first year (80% off) for the TotalAV Antivirus Pro package.
HACKED, SCAMMED, EXPOSED: WHY YOU’RE ONE STEP AWAY FROM DISASTER ONLINE
What to do if you responded to a fake voter registration text?
Do Not Share More Information: If you provided personal information, such as your Social Security number or driver’s license, stop any further communication.
Report the Incident: Report the scam to your local election office and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state’s Attorney General office.
Check Your Voter Registration: Visit your state’s official election website or a trusted resource like Vote.org to confirm that your registration status is accurate and hasn’t been tampered with.
Use Identity Theft Protection: If you shared sensitive information such as your Social Security number, consider using identity theft protection services like our #1 pick Identity Guard. These services monitor your personal information, alert you to suspicious activities, and can help restore your identity if it has been compromised.
Monitor Your Credit: If you provided sensitive personal information, it’s a good idea to monitor your credit and consider placing a fraud alert or freezing your credit with major credit bureaus.
Beware of Further Scams: Scammers may use this incident to target you again. Be cautious of any further suspicious texts, emails, or calls related to your voter registration or personal information.
Kurt’s key takeaway
As Election Day gets closer, it’s essential to stay alert to scams like these. If you receive a suspicious text about your voter registration, remember to check the details carefully. Look out for unofficial domains like all-vote.com or votewin.org, which have nothing to do with the government. Always head to trusted sites like vote.gov to confirm your status. Scammers are getting creative, but knowing the signs can help you avoid getting caught up in their traps.
Do you think the government is doing enough to protect voters from scams like these? Let us know in the comments below.
Related:
How to reclaim your phone and block unwelcome political text messages
How to reclaim your phone and block unwelcome political text messages
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.
3 comments