Have you received an unsolicited email or phone call from someone who claims to represent your local election board or another civic group and asks for your Social Security number or credit card number to confirm your eligibility or registration to vote?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, unsolicited messages from people who claim to need your Social Security number or other personal information as a pretext to register you to vote - or to confirm your registration - could be a scam designed to steal your personal information. The scammers may use the information 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 not ask you to provide your financial information.
"Identity thieves are always looking for new ways to steal sensitive personal information from innocent people," says Angie Barnett, President and CEO of BBB | Greater MD. "This presidential election has given them some new ideas for catching people off guard by appealing to their desire to participate in the voting process. Folks need to remember legitimate voter registration drives either contact you in person or give you a voter registration form that you fill out yourself. “
If you get an unsolicited phone call or email 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 FTC online at 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, and then visit ftc.gov/idtheft.
To register to vote - contact the Maryland State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-8683 or visit their website at www.elections.state.md.us