With election season upon us, there is a lot of information coming our way from TV commercials, online ads, emails, texts, phone calls, flyers on our door and people approaching us in public.
It’s important for all of us to know the difference between legitimate voter information and scams.
According to the National Council on Aging, seniors may be especially vulnerable to scams because they live alone, have trust in leaders and are often less familiar with smartphones and other technology. Perpetrators tend to use psychological tactics like creating urgency or fear to get seniors to fall for their scams.
Common types of scams
There are common scams and warning signs to look for according to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office:
- Phone scams: People pretend to be election officials and ask for your personal information or a donation. They may also make threats about your voter registration status or eligibility.
- Mail scams: Some criminals make fake absentee ballot requests or fraudulent voting forms. Warning signs to look for include unusual language or demands for sensitive information.
- Online scams: Phishing emails or fake websites disguise themselves as voter registration portals. You might also be targeted with misinformation about voting procedures on social media.
Warning signs of a voter scam
If you feel like something is a scam, it probably is. These are signs of fraudulent activity:
- You’re asked to give personal information like your Social Security number, voter ID or financial information.
- They claim that your voter registration is invalid unless you take immediate action.
- You receive an unsolicited message, call or email from an unfamiliar source about your vote.
Be aware of these tactics to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of a voter scam.
How to protect yourself
According to AARP, there are steps you can take to stay safe.
- Verify that the source is legitimate. Contact local election officials directly if there’s any doubt about a communication you’ve received. Also check with official government websites for voting information. Find more information from the Election Assistance Commission.
- Be cautious of unsolicited communication. Avoid sharing personal information over the phone or by email.
- Be smart online. Use strong passwords and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Additionally, ensure that websites are legitimate before entering any personal details.
If you’re an adult child of an aging parent, you can help protect them by having conversations about voting and potential scams. Also offer to assist with verifying voting procedures and registration.
Additionally, you can set up digital safeguards like spam filters to help monitor suspicious communications.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
Report scams to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Aging Care also suggests taking these actions:
- Freeze your credit
- Update passwords
- Monitor personal accounts
It’s essential for seniors to stay vigilant leading up to election time. If you have loved ones who are older adults, reach out to them to spread awareness.
Stay informed, stay safe and protect your vote.
Disclaimer
The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for licensed professional legal or financial advice or counseling. This content should not be relied upon for making legal, financial or other decisions. Readers of this website should consult with a licensed attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular legal or financial matter. Reference to any products, services, third parties or links to third-party websites does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of such products, services, or third parties by The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and/or its affiliates.
