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FTC Cautions Consumers About Voter Registration Scams

August 7, 2008

Have you received an unsolicited e-mail or phone call from someone who claims to represent your local election board or civic group and asks for your Social Security or credit card number to confirm your eligibility or registration to vote?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, scammers may send messages asking for your Social Security number or financial information supposedly to register you to vote - or to confirm your registration - when they really want to commit identity theft.

As a rule, federal officials say, organizations conducting legitimate voter registration drives either contact you in person or give you a voter registration form that you fill out yourself. They will never ask you to provide your financial information.

If you get an unsolicited phone call or e-mail from someone who claims to need your Social Security number or other personal or financial information to register you to vote, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website at www.ftc.gov, or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP. If you already have shared your personal information with someone you don't know, you may be the victim of a scam. File your complaint with the FTC, then visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

To register to vote - and to find out whether your state requires your Social Security number for registration - contact your local election office, or check the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's National Voter Registration Form at www.eac.gov/voter. Most states accept this form. Many states and localities have their own rules about how far before an election you must register to be able to vote, and whether a Social Security number is required.

References:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
August 2008
www.ftc.gov

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