Most common election scams and how to keep yourself safe this November 5.

Don’t fall for these common election scams this week.
 
 
The “Vote by Phone” text.
Scammers will send a text telling you that it’s possible to vote by text if you give them your personal information. They will ask for your social security number and other personal details. DO NOT reply to them.
 
Fake prostitutes asking you to vote for them.
Scantily clad women will approach men and ask if they can cast a ballot in return for a sexual favor. If a man accepts, they follow them to the polling station, watch him enter to vote, and then disappear. 
 
Teenagers who say they will “deliver” your vote to the polling station.
Groups of young people with official-looking badges roam neighborhoods and offer to vote for you. They say they’ve been designated by a government authority to cast a ballot by proxy. If you agree, they take down your information and, if you are voting for their opponent, they will promise to vote in your place. If you are voting for their candidate, they will say there is an issue with your district, and you must attend the polling center in person. 
 
Telepathy voting.
Activist groups will target areas they feel are voting against their interests and tell residents they are able to vote telepathically. They will tell you that if you think really hard about your candidate, then a vote will be cast for them. If you do, it doesn’t actually work.
 
Vote collectors. 
If someone comes through your neighborhood wearing a windbreaker that says “vote collector,” remember there is no such thing. “Vote collectors” will ask you to fill out a form stating whom you will vote for and then put the form into a cardboard box marked “votes.” 
 
Penis enhancing voting.
If a young man or woman approaches you and tells you that if you vote for his or her candidate your penis will grow, there is no evidence this is true. 
 
Fake polling stations.
When you are about to enter your polling station, a suspicious looking man jumps out of the bushes and says, “Psst. Wanna REALLY vote?” If you say yes, he brings you to a small tent where there is a “polling official” inside who asks you who you’re voting for and then says, “O.K. Vote taken.” This is NOT an actual polling station.

IBR MERCH