Better Business Bureau tips to ensure your donation goes to your candidate, not frauds

You don’t need to sit in front of a TV for long to realize we’re in the thick of political campaign season. With Washington state’s presidential primary moved up to March 10 this year, candidates are already making high-profile appearances and holding rallies throughout Puget Sound. These political hopefuls are vying for your early support (read “money” here), even with election day still months away.

As the rhetoric ramps up in our region, the odds of your support landing in the wrong hands increases too. Especially if you’re one of the many looking to donate to a campaign. Opportunists posing as pollsters, volunteers and fundraisers are ready to collect your personal information or access your finances. For many victims, the consequences extend well beyond anything that will happen in November.

The Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific reminds residents that surviving campaign season with your information intact is as simple as spotting the red flags. Be cautious of particularly pushy fundraisers instructing you to take immediate action. Recognize when a “political pollster” is asking for too much information, like your credit card number. Stay suspicious of pre-recorded phone calls dialing you for a donation.

There are plenty of proactive steps for avoiding common political pitfalls this year, too. BBBNW+P recommends the following tips:

Donate directly to the campaign office. The safest way to financially support a candidate is to send your donation through their official campaign website. Some phone calls may be legitimate, but before giving away any information, be certain they’re directly connected to the candidate’s campaign.

Keep an eye out for fraudulent phone calls. The Caller ID may say you’re being contacted by Washington, D.C., or a candidate’s campaign office, but the reality may be that an opportunist is using spoofing technology to project a false number, and fake their way to your finances.

Do your homework. Research any fundraising organizations that make their way into your email inbox, social media feed or text threads. It’s easy to spot a fraud if you go directly to an organization’s website by typing the URL in your browser or using a search engine.

Don’t give out personal or banking information. Giving up valuable personal or banking information is easier than you think. Callers may ask for your political affiliation and demographic information before luring victims into providing their Social Security number or credit card information.

You can research companies and find more tips for bypassing political scams by going to BBB.org.