With elections around the corner, it’s important to stay sharp about when it comes to your political donations. Scammers are taking advantage of the election season, and—as AI continues to advance—it’s becoming trickier to distinguish real requests from fake ones.

So, how can you ensure your hard-earned money is going where you intend it to go and not a scammer’s pocket? Let’s dive into some common tactics used by fraudsters and how you can protect yourself when making political donations.

Political donation scam tactics

Scammers are constantly getting more cunning, using technology to create more convincing scams. From robocalls to phishing emails, they’ve got all the tools that might make even the savviest donors fall for their trap. But if you know what to look for, you can stay one step ahead.

Robocalls

Ah, the dreaded robocall. We’ve all experienced the annoyance of an unsolicited call. But did you know scammers use these to siphon off political donations? These “Scam PACs” or fake political action committees will ask for donations, often pretending to represent a legitimate candidate or cause.

How to spot it: Be wary of any robocall asking for donations—especially if they pressure you to donate immediately. Always hang up and donate directly through a candidate’s verified website instead.

Texts asking for political donations

We’ve all received a text asking for a donation to a political campaign at some point. But some of those texts might be smishing attempts—scammers posing as political fundraisers, sending out messages like this:

“Hey [Your Name], your candidate needs your support! Can you donate $25 right now to help us reach our goal?”

Seems legit, right? But these scams can trick you into handing over personal information or payment details.

How to spot it: Never click links in unsolicited texts. Instead, go directly to the candidate’s website if you want to contribute. And if the message is riddled with grammatical errors or seems overly pushy, that's a big red flag.

Phishing emails

Phishing emails are another common method scammers use. They can make their emails look almost identical to legitimate ones from political campaigns or causes, but clicking a link in these messages can lead to a malicious site designed to steal your money or personal information.

How to spot it: Look closely at the sender’s email address and the tone of the message. If it seems off, or if you’re being asked to donate through an unfamiliar third-party site, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

4 tips to verify political donation requests

Before you click “donate,” use these tips to verify if a request is legitimate:

• Check the official campaign website. Always donate directly through a candidate’s verified site, not through a link in an email or text.
• Research the organization. If it’s a PAC or a non-profit asking for your donation, do a quick Google search to ensure it’s legitimate.
• Look for secure payment methods. Make sure the donation page starts with “https://” and look for security icons like padlocks.
• Avoid pressure tactics. Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Legitimate campaigns will appreciate your donation at any time.
• Use a strong cybersecurity software. Avast One Gold can help you avoid scam messages on your phone more easily.

How to report political donation scams

If you come across a potential scam, reporting it helps protect others. Here’s how you can take action:

• Report the scam to the FTC. Use the Federal Trade Commission’s fraud reporting website to file a report.
• Notify the campaign. Let the legitimate campaign know about the scam so they can alert other supporters.
• Block and report. For texts or calls, block the number and report it as spam to your carrier.

Keep political donation scam messages off your devices this election season

This election season, protect your information—and your wallet—by staying informed. Use trusted sources for donations, and don’t let scammers use the elections to get their way. With the right precautions, you can support who you want without falling victim to scams. Stay savvy, stay safe.