October 30, 2024 at 09:49AM
The FBI warns of various scams exploiting the 2024 U.S. general election, including fake campaign donations, merchandise sales, and voter registration alerts. Fraudsters impersonate candidates to steal money and personal data. The FBI advises caution and reporting fraudulent requests to the IC3 to protect potential victims.
### Meeting Takeaways: FBI Warning on Election-Related Scams
1. **Overview of the Warning**:
– The FBI is alerting the public to various scams exploiting the upcoming 2024 U.S. General Election.
– Scammers are impersonating candidates and political movements to deceive individuals.
2. **Main Objectives of the Scams**:
– Scams aim to steal personal data and money from victims.
3. **Types of Scams Identified by the FBI**:
– **Investment Pool Scams**: Victims invest in false “guaranteed” campaign funds promising returns tied to candidate victories.
– **Political Action Committees (PACs)**: Fraudsters disguise themselves as legitimate PACs to solicit donations, which they pocket.
– **Campaign Merchandise Fraud**: Individuals are misled into buying campaign-branded merchandise from fake websites, resulting in lost payments and undelivered products.
– **Voter Registration Alerts**: Fraudulent alerts prompt victims to enter personal information through deceptive links, leading to identity theft.
4. **Cryptocurrency Scams**:
– New scams related to cryptocurrency have emerged, using themes involving prominent political figures like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
5. **Protection Measures**:
– Treat unsolicited communications cautiously.
– Avoid sharing personal information or sending money to unknown parties.
– Verify claims of political affiliation via the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website.
6. **Clarifications on Political Donations**:
– Donations to political campaigns are not investments; there is no guarantee of financial return.
7. **Reporting Fraudulent Activities**:
– It is crucial to report any suspicious requests to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) promptly to help stop scammers and protect potential victims.
By remaining vigilant and informed, individuals can better protect themselves against these election-related scams.