Watch Out for Election Day Texting Scams: How to Protect Your Smartphone Before November 4th

Fake ballot Texts Target california Voters Ahead of Special Election

Sacramento, CA – Voters throughout California have recently been targeted by deceptive text messages falsely claiming they failed to submit their ballots for the upcoming November 4th statewide special election focused on redistricting. These messages, designed to appear legitimate, include personalized voter details like names and addresses, and feature links to official-looking websites.

State officials are urgently warning residents that these texts are fraudulent and not affiliated with the California Secretary of State’s office. shirley Weber, California’s Secretary of State, issued a statement confirming numerous reports of the “inaccurate text messages from Ballot Now,” emphasizing that this entity has no official connection to the state goverment.

What You Need to Know About the Texts

The intention behind these messages remains under inquiry, with Weber’s office actively working to determine the source and purpose. Ballot Now has not yet responded to inquiries from news outlets seeking comment. The deceptive practice has sparked concern among voters, leading some to believe their ballots haven’t been properly received or processed.

According to a report released by the Brennan Centre for Justice in October 2023, disinformation campaigns targeting elections have increased considerably in recent years, with text messaging emerging as a common tactic. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research/disinformation-election-integrity

Where to Find Reliable Voting Information

California voters seeking accurate and trustworthy information about the election and their voting status are directed to the official state secretary of state’s website or their respective county election offices. Here’s a breakdown of key resources:

Resource	Description	Link
California Secretary of State	Official state election information.	https://www.sos.ca.gov/
County election Offices	Contact information for all California counties.	https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
Voter Status Page	Verify your registration details.	https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
Ballottrax	Track your mail-in ballot’s progress.	https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

did You Know? Ballottrax provides updates in 10 different languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Tagalog, offering you your preferred method of interaction via text, email, or phone call.

Los Angeles County residents can find specific information regarding ballot drop-off locations and voter centers on the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s website.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Individuals who believe they have been targeted by election fraud or have observed potential violations of the California Elections Code are encouraged to submit a formal complaint. This can be done by completing an online form,downloading a PDF version for mail submission,or contacting the Secretary of State’s office directly.

Contact details are as follows: online form https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/election-voter-complaint-form, PDF download https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/publications-and-resources/voter-complaint, or by phone at [phone] or [phone] (English), or [phone] (Spanish).

Los Angeles County residents with concerns should contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s call center at [phone], option No. 1.

Protecting Yourself From Voter Disinformation

The rise of voter disinformation is a growing concern. Staying informed, verifying information from official sources, and reporting suspicious activity are the most effective ways to safeguard the integrity of the election process. Regularly checking your voter registration status and tracking your ballot’s progress can also provide peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ballot Security

• What is Ballot Now? Ballot Now is not affiliated with the California Secretary of State’s office and is the source of the suspicious text messages circulating among voters.
• How can I check my voter registration? You can verify your voter registration status on the California Secretary of State’s website.
• How can I track my mail-in ballot? Utilize the Ballottrax system to monitor the progress of your ballot.
• what should I do if I recieve a suspicious text message? Do not click on any links and report the message to the Secretary of State’s office.
• Where can I find official election information? Refer to the California Secretary of State’s website or your county election office.

Have you or someone you know received one of these suspicious text messages? What steps are you taking to ensure your vote is counted accurately?

What steps should you take if you receive a text message claiming there’s an issue with your voter registration?

Watch Out for Election Day texting Scams: How too Protect Your Smartphone before November 4th

Understanding the Threat: Election Season & SMS Phishing

As November 4th approaches, the volume of political communication – and unfortunately, election scams – will surge. Scammers exploit the heightened emotions and civic duty surrounding elections to launch sophisticated text message phishing attacks, also known as “smishing.” These aren’t just annoying; they’re designed to steal your personal details, compromise your voting rights, or even drain your bank account. Understanding how these election texting scams operate is the first step in protecting yourself.

common Election Texting Scam tactics

Scammers are becoming increasingly clever. Here are some common tactics to watch out for:

* Fake Polling Requests: Texts claiming to be from polling organizations asking for your opinion, but actually harvesting your data. These often link to malicious websites.

* Misleading Information About Polling Locations: Texts providing incorrect polling place information, possibly causing you to miss the opportunity to vote or leading you to a fraudulent location.

* Requests for Personal Information: Any text asking for your social Security number, driver’s license details, or bank account information related to voting is a red flag. Legitimate election officials will not ask for this information via text.

* Claims of Voter Registration Issues: Texts stating there’s a problem with your voter registration and requiring you to “verify” your details through a link.

* Offers of Rewards for Voting: While get-out-the-vote efforts exist, legitimate organizations won’t offer cash or prizes directly via text message.

* Impersonating Campaigns or Candidates: texts appearing to be from a specific campaign, soliciting donations or spreading misinformation.

How to Identify a Suspicious Election Text

Learning to spot a scam is crucial. Here’s what to look for:

* Unknown Sender: be wary of texts from numbers you don’t recognize.

* Generic Greetings: Scammers often use generic greetings like “Dear Voter” instead of your name.

* Urgent language: Texts creating a sense of urgency (“Act now!” or “Your registration will be cancelled!”) are frequently enough scams.

* Poor Grammar & Spelling: While not always a giveaway, many scam texts contain grammatical errors or typos.

* Suspicious links: Never click on links in texts from unknown senders. Hover over the link (on a computer) to see the actual URL – if it doesn’t match the purported sender, it’s likely a scam.

* Requests for Sensitive Information: As mentioned above, legitimate election officials won’t ask for sensitive information via text.

Protecting Your Smartphone: Practical Steps

Don’t wait until November 4th to protect yourself.Implement these measures now:

1. Don’t Click on Links: This is the most important rule. Even if a text appears legitimate, avoid clicking on any links.
2. Report Suspicious Texts: Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM). this helps authorities track and combat scams.
3. Block the Sender: Block the number that sent the suspicious text.
4. Enable Spam Filtering: Most smartphones have built-in spam filtering features. Activate these in your messaging settings.
5. Verify Information Independently: If you receive a text about your voter registration or polling location, always verify the information through official sources (see “Official Resources” below).
6. Be Cautious with App Permissions: Review the permissions granted to messaging apps on your phone.
7. Update Your Phone’s Software: Keep your smartphone’s operating system and security software up to date.These updates frequently enough include protections against the latest threats.

Benefits of Proactive Protection

Taking these steps isn’t just about avoiding scams; it’s about safeguarding your:

* Personal Information: Protecting your data from identity theft.

* Voting Rights: Ensuring you can cast your ballot without interference.

* Financial Security: Preventing fraudulent charges and account compromises.

* Peace of Mind: Reducing stress and anxiety during a potentially sensitive time.

Real-World Examples & recent Trends (2024-2025)

In the 2024 primaries, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported a notable increase in voter fraud scams targeting seniors. These scams often involved texts claiming to be from election officials, requesting “verification” of voter information.Several states issued warnings about these specific tactics. The trend continued into the 2025 special elections, with scammers adapting their methods to mimic legitimate election communications more convincingly. This highlights the need for constant vigilance.

Official Resources for Voter Information

* U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC): https://www.eac.gov/

* Vote.gov: https://www.vote.gov/

* Your State’s Election Website: Search online for “[Your State] Election Information” to find your state’s official website.

* Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/ – For reporting scams.

Protecting Family & Friends: