Better Business Bureau Issues Warning on Election Donation Text Scams
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a recent rash of text message scams associated with political donations. Citizens are reported to be receiving text messages purportedly from various political parties, requesting—or, in some instances, pleading for—donations for particular candidates. However, the BBB cautions that many of these messages may be fraudulent, designed to deceive unsuspecting recipients and steal their financial information.
Be Wary of Unsolicited Texts
In an interaction with the BBB, President Carl Bates detailed that distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent campaign donation texts is nearly impossible. “Whether they contact you via text or a phone call, you really can’t trust numbers you don’t already know, especially when they’re asking for money,” Bates advised. He further emphasized that it is safer to donate directly through the website of the political party or candidate one supports.
A Flashback to Past Scams
Bates recalled a similar spate of scams that occurred during the last presidential election. Innocent victims clicked on unfamiliar links and unwillingly landed on inappropriate websites, infected their devices with malware, thus leaving their hard drive and personal data at risk. “It is a better rule not to click on external links,” he firmly cautioned.
Safe Donation Practices
For those who wish to donate to political parties or candidates, the BBB’s practical advice is to use a credit card, providing a level of protection against potential fraudulent transactions. Should recipients notice unauthorized or suspicious charges after making a donation, they can dispute the charges with their credit card company, thus adding an extra layer of financial safety.
The BBB encourages anyone wanting to stay aware of and protect themselves against such scams to sign up for their news alerts and email newsletter. It further encourages anyone facing unauthorized charges or falling victim to such scams to report the same to their local BBB. Broad awareness and reporting can go a long way in curtailing such fraudulent activities.
Conclusion
The BBB’s warning about election donation scams reemphasizes the importance of cybersecurity and being aware of the nature and scope of online scams, especially ahead of crucial political events such as elections. It also underscores the importance of safe financial practices and how consumers can protect themselves from potential fraud.
