With the 2024 presidential election just a few months away, political efforts are at an all-time high. Campaigns are ramping up their efforts, and as a result, people are being bombarded with text messages from political parties and candidates. While many of these messages are legitimate attempts to rally support, a new warning from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggests that some of these texts could be from scammers looking to exploit political passion and trick individuals into handing over their personal information.

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New Political Text Message Making the Rounds Could Be a Scam

According to cybersecurity expert O'Rork, unsolicited text messages, especially during election season, should be approached with caution. "Generally, you shouldn't trust anything that shows up unsolicited, even if you think it might be safe," O'Rork advises. "During election season, we see a lot of these text messages, and it's phishing or smishing. These people just want your information."

What Does The Scam Text Say?

The scam message itself invites the recipient to participate in a poll by clicking a link—a classic tactic used by scammers.

Political text SCAM (WCNC)
Political text SCAM (WCNC)
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Robokiller, a company specializing in blocking spam calls and texts, notes that political survey scams often lure individuals with fake polling. These scams typically lead to a webpage that offers prizes for participation but then asks for credit card information to cover the shipping cost for the supposed prize. O'Rork emphasizes that this is a major red flag: "Remember, if it sounds too good to be true (like a free gift for a survey), it probably is."

The BBB and cybersecurity experts like O'Rork recommend a simple but effective strategy: do not click on any links or respond to unsolicited texts. If you're uncertain about the legitimacy of a message, you can contact your local election office or the BBB for verification.

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Stay Safe

As the election approaches, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, and political texts are just one of the many tools they use. Here are a few practical tips to protect yourself:

  1. Do not respond to unsolicited texts: If you receive a random text message, especially one asking for personal information or urging you to click a link, do not engage.
  2. Verify the source: If you’re unsure about a message’s authenticity, contact your local election office or the BBB for confirmation.
  3. Be skeptical of offers: If a message promises a prize or a gift in exchange for participation, it's likely a scam.
  4. Report suspicious messages: Alert your local election office or the BBB if you receive a suspicious text.

In the rush of election season, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. However, taking a moment to scrutinize unsolicited messages can save you from falling victim to scams. Stay informed, stay alert, and stay safe.

LOOK: The biggest scams today and how you can protect yourself from them

Using data from the BBB Scam Tracker Annual Risk Report, Stacker identified the most common and costly types of scams in 2022.

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