emale hand holding iphone with text message thread political fundraising scams scam PACs

Political Fundraising Scams: Savvy Dos and Don’t to Stay Safe

/2 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

In all my years of writing newsletters, blogs, and columns I’ve steered clear of politics. But every rule has its exception, and today, it’s political fundraising scams. As we inch closer to the elections the heat is on. I think it’s time we have a little heart-to-heart about staying safe.

emale hand holding iphone with text message thread political fundraising scams scam PACs

With billions of dollars pouring into the 2024 House, Senate, and presidential races, I bet you’ve already gotten a few friendly donation requests via texts, email, direct messages—you name it. And it doesn’t matter which side you’re on. Scammers don’t care about your politics; they’re equal-opportunity offenders, ready to take a bite out of anyone who looks like lunch.

The Rise of Political Fundraising Scams

In recent years, we’ve seen an uptick in —“scam PACs.” These fraudulent political action committees (PACs) often use high-pressure tactics and misleading names to divert your hard-earned dollars into the pockets of consultants instead of supporting your chosen cause.

Many scam PACs spend the majority of donations on their own administrative costs, salaries, or related vendors—often leaving little to no money for the actual cause or candidates they claim to support. Be wary of any PAC that doesn’t have a transparent spending record.

Watch Out for Scam PACs

According to OpenSecrets, 86 potential scam PACs were identified during the 2022 federal election cycle. These PACs met two key criteria: they spent over $100,000, and at least 50% of their itemized expenditures went toward fundraising expenses rather than supporting candidates or causes. Of those PACs, 42% were identified as Republican or conservative groups, while 19% were Democratic or liberal. To stay informed and protect your donations, always verify PACs through trusted sources like OpenSecrets.org.

How to Stay Safe: Protect Your Donations

These scam PACs don’t just hurt individual donors; they hurt candidates who rely on small-dollar donations to fund their campaigns. They also fuel public disillusionment with the political process, damaging our democracy.

Consider these Dos and Don’ts for keeping both you and your money safe while navigating the murky waters of political contributions:

Dos for Safe Political Donations

Do Assume Every Contact is a Scam. Make this contact prove that it’s not. Suspicion is the best attitude when it comes to unsolicited messages and calls. Yes, it’s gotten that bad. Just know that a legitimate organization will be happy to offer resources and contact information to help put your suspicions to rest.

Do Your Research: Stick to official campaign websites or reputable platforms like WinRed or ActBlue. If you’re unsure, a quick search can save a big headache. Trust but verify means you may need to end the call to do your own due diligence. A great place to start is with OpenSecrets.org, a nonpartisan resource that tracks the flow of money in U.S. politics. Look up the PAC there: if it’s not registered or if most of its spending goes toward fundraising and administrative costs, you’re likely dealing with a scam.

Do Use Credit Cards or Secure Payment Methods: Opt for credit cards over debit cards. Credit cards offer better fraud protection.

Do Set Limits: Decide in advance how much you’re willing to give, and stick to it. It’s easy to get swept up in the emotion, but your future self will be grateful that you set some boundaries. 

Do Double-Check Sources: If you get a request from any source, stop. Check the sender’s details. Scammers love to impersonate official organizations. Look for red flags—strange URLs, weird email addresses, misspellings, or odd requests.

Do Report Suspicious Activity: If something feels off, trust your gut. Report suspicious emails, calls, or messages to the Federal Trade Commission or your state’s consumer protection office.

Don’ts to Avoid Political Scam Pitfalls

Don’t Donate Through Unverified Links or Third-Party Apps: Avoid giving out your information through sketchy links, unsolicited texts, or social media messages. If it feels like you’re clicking into a black hole, you probably are.

Don’t Share Personal Information. No legitimate campaign needs your Social Security number or bank PIN to accept your donation. If they’re asking for more than your basic payment details, run—don’t walk—away.

Don’t Give in to Pressure Tactics: Scammers thrive on creating a sense of urgency. Suppose you feel rushed or threatened, stop. Take time to do your research. Legit campaigns will welcome your donation tomorrow just as much as today.

Don’t Assume Texts or Calls Are Legit: Scammers have become pros at mimicking official numbers and tones. If you receive a call or text, hang up and contact the campaign directly through their verified contact information. 

Don’t Ignore Statements: Check your bank statements. Make certain your donation was recorded exactly as you instructed. Look out for unauthorized and recurring charges you didn’t sign up for this month and in the coming months. I can promise you that catching fraud early is half the battle.

Final Thoughts on Safe Political Contributions

Remember, the only thing more important than supporting a cause you believe in is knowing that your support actually makes it to your chosen place—safely and securely. Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and keep your hard-earned money safe while making a difference.

 

Question: Ever received a donation request that just felt off? How do you verify that it’s legit before donating? Let’s share tips to stay scam-free this election season.

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2 replies
  1. Gail E. Forsberg says:

    Hello, I recieved a phone call from a man about wanting donation to support breast cancer support. I agreed to donating 10.00, which they said would come in the mail. Then he brought a woman on the phone that said all she needed was my 3 digit security code to pay the money right then. So I hung up on them thinking it sounded like fraud since I had not given them any of my card info and the guy had said it would be done via the mail. I received the mail that says I pledged to give them 10 with a pledge number. How can I retract my pledge? I don’t want to break the law of pledges, but I don’t trust them. I don’t want anything to do with them. They are called: United Breast Cancer Support PAC. They are in the list at OpenSecrets.org. I still don’t trust them and do not want to give them any payment information. Is there a way for me to retract my pledge? Sincerely, Gail Forsberg

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      They’re “phishing” for our account details. If you gave them those numbers and exp date, you need to contact your cc bank immediately. Tell them your story, dispute the charges and make sure any recurring pledges are cancelled. NEVER give numbers by phone to an unsolicited caller.

      Reply

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