As Election Day approaches, fraudsters are finding new ways to deceive voters. Multiple media outlets are reporting on a new scam in which people receive false text messages saying they are not yet registered to vote. Election officials are warning Americans to be wary of fraudulent messages as more are expected to circulate in the weeks leading up to the election.
Get security alerts, tips from experts – Sign up for Cart Newsletter – Cyber Guy Report here
Election day image (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
What you need to know
Detroit’s local Channel 4 affiliate WDIV warned of a new wave of text messages in late August that could prevent registered voters from voting. The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported on a similar incident around the same time, warning Pennsylvanians to be wary of potential fraudulent text messages targeting voters.
A State Department spokeswoman said voters should expect more such messages in the weeks leading up to the general election.
“Voters are aware that some bad actors have an opportunity to take advantage of this campaign season to send phishing and smishing emails and texts,” department spokesman Matt Heckel told the Philadelphia Inquirer. We should be aware that this is a possibility.”
Both these reports and several others mention text messages linked to a site called all-vote.com. “Our records indicate that you are not registered to vote. Check your registration status and register in under 2 minutes.”
woman voting (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Don’t fall prey to this election season’s most sophisticated scams
How do I know if a text is a scam?
First, the domain all-vote.com is not affiliated with the government. Another clue is that people who were already registered to vote in their states also received the message. WDIV also spoke to a seventh-grader in Canada who said he received the text even though he was not eligible to vote.
A quick search on Who.Is lookup shows that the domain was registered on July 10, 2024, which is definitely a red flag. krebs on security We mentioned that some of these texts also link to another domain, votewin.org. This domain requires you to enter your name, address, email, date of birth, and phone number when visiting.
You can also pre-check the box to sign up to receive additional notifications. The government doesn’t need all your information. To register to vote or update your voter registration, simply visit: voting.gov Click to select your state or region.
voting button (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Fake software fixes malware threat that steals funds
5 ways to avoid election text fraud
1) Unsolicited communications: If you receive a message from an unknown number or unexpected source, especially one that claims urgency (such as registering to vote), it could be a scam.
2) Suspicious links: Scammers often use fake links that appear legitimate but redirect to phishing websites. Always hover over the link or check the domain carefully. In the case of “all-vote.com”, it’s worth being suspicious if it’s not a well-known or official site (such as U.S. Vote.gov).
3) Grammatical errors: Many scam messages contain typos, clumsiness, and grammatical errors. This could be a red flag for phishing or fraud.
4) Regarding requests for disclosure of personal information: Legitimate organizations typically do not ask for sensitive information such as social security numbers, bank account information, or passwords over text. Scams are also common.
5) Use strong antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from malicious texts that can access your personal information is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection also warns you about phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
How to stop annoying robocalls
Cart important points
As Election Day approaches, it’s important to remain vigilant against scams like this. If you receive a suspicious text about your voter registration, be sure to check the details carefully. Be wary of unofficial domains such as all-vote.com and votewin.org. These have nothing to do with the government. To check your status, always visit a trusted site like vote.gov. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and knowing the signs can help you avoid falling into their traps.
Do you think the government is doing enough to protect voters from this type of fraud? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report newsletter using the link below. Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask your cart a question or let us know your story you’d like us to feature.
Follow Kurt on his social channels.
Answers to CyberGuy frequently asked questions:
New from cart:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
