Election Officials Warn Voters: Don’t Click on Links in ‘phishy’ Emails or Texts
Released: August 30, 2024
Election Officials Warn Voters: Don’t Click on Links in ‘phishy’ Emails or Texts
Voters urged to use sources such as Vote.PA.Gov and DelcoPA.Gov/Vote for accurate election information
Delaware County and state election officials have received reports of voters receiving “phishy” emails and text messages about the upcoming election, sometimes with inaccurate information about voter registration status and mail ballots.
Some messages falsely claim that voters are not registered or that they need to reapply for mail-in ballots. Others may contain links that could initiate a phone call or direct voters to non-governmental websites.
Delaware County officials strongly advise all voters to use official websites and only trusted sources for anything related to their registration, mail/absentee ballot requests, or election information.
“If in doubt, check it out, at a .Gov web site,” said Delaware County Elections Director James P. Allen. “Bad actors may try to lure a voter to make a call or visit a site to try to gather the voter’s personal information. Voters instead should visit Vote.PA.Gov/Status [the State’s official website] to find the official status of their registration or their mail/absentee ballot application.”
Voters can also visit the Attorney General's website at www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/consumer-advisories/beware-of-voting-scams to learn more about how to protect themselves from scams and how to report any suspicious text messages or emails.
Protecting Your Vote: Trusted Election Sources and Best Practices
To safeguard your vote and your personal information, Delaware County recommends these best practices:
- Trust Official Websites: Use Vote.PA.Gov to check your voter registration and mail ballot status or visit DelcoPA.Gov/Vote for local election information.
- Ignore Suspicious Messages: Don’t click on links in unsolicited texts or emails. Phishing attempts often mimic legitimate communications but aim to steal your data, such as your birthdate, social security number, or driver’s license number.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Visit the Attorney General's website to learn more about how to protect against scams and how to report any suspicious text messages or emails.
