ORLANDO, Fla. – With Election Day just around the corner, AARP is urging voters to remain vigilant against potential scams and misinformation campaigns that often target voters as they head to the polls.
AARP urges people to stay alert to fraudulent phone calls or emails soliciting last-minute political donations.
They can often lead unsuspecting individuals to malicious websites.
“Anytime there is a pressing current event — right now, election season or also hurricane-related issues, you know — fraudsters are going to capitalize on that,” said Karen Murillo, an AARP representative.
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Murillo warns that even a single click on a suspicious link could lead to unauthorized downloads, compromising personal information.
In addition to scam warnings, AARP and the FBI have cautioned about disinformation campaigns.
The FBI released a recent alert indicating an increase in attempts by foreign actors to manipulate public opinion on election issues.
The FBI’s bulletin urged voters to be wary of deceptive social media posts, suspicious claims about the voting process, and misleading security information.
News 6 spoke with five local supervisors of elections who share these concerns.
When asked about the biggest misconception they want to correct, one official responded, “That your ballot is not counted.”
Voters opting for mail-in ballots can track their votes through platforms like BallotTrax, available on many county supervisors of elections websites, allowing users to verify their vote’s progress.
As election officials and organizations like AARP amplify their efforts, voters are urged to stay cautious and informed to protect themselves from scams and disinformation.
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