Beware of election season fraud

Robocalls, phony polls and other schemes seek your personal information

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Sept. 24, 2026 – Election season is a time of heightened civic engagement, but it’s also a time when scammers ramp up efforts to steal money and personal information.

Recent warnings from the Federal Trade Commission, cybersecurity experts and election officials show that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence, spoofed phone numbers, fake websites and text messages to make their scams appear legitimate.

Here are a few election-related scams to watch out for this year:

Phony PACs and political donation scams

Fake Political Action Committees, or PACs, and fraudulent campaign fundraising efforts continue to target voters through phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media. Scammers may claim to support a favorite candidate or political cause, then keep the money for themselves.

Before donating, verify the organization through the Federal Election Commission and consider donating directly through a candidate’s official website. Be cautious of high-pressure tactics, unsolicited requests for donations or demands for unusual payment methods. Legitimate political organizations will not ask for payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

AI-powered robocalls and deepfake messages

Artificial intelligence has made election scams more convincing. Fraudsters can now use AI-generated voices to impersonate candidates, public officials or political organizations. Some scams may urge voters to donate, while others may spread false information about voting procedures.

Never rely on information from an unsolicited call, text or voicemail. If you receive a political message that seems suspicious, verify it through official government election websites or trusted news sources. Do not provide personal or financial information during an unexpected call.

Voter registration and voting information scams

Scammers may contact voters claiming there is a problem with their registration, that they need to re-register, or that they must pay a fee before voting. Others may send text messages or emails directing recipients to fake registration websites designed to steal personal information.

Remember that voter registration is free. If you have questions about your registration status or polling location, check directly with your state’s election office or visit Vote.gov. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, even if they appear to come from election officials.

Fake polls, surveys and prizes

Another common scam involves fake polls or voter surveys. Fraudsters may offer gift cards, prizes or rewards in exchange for participating. During the survey, they attempt to collect personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, passwords or other sensitive data.

Legitimate polling organizations typically ask only for opinions and basic demographic information. They will not request banking information, passwords or payment to claim a reward. If a survey asks for sensitive information, end the conversation immediately.

If you encounter a suspected scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.