Two state election offices recently reported receiving complaints from residents of phone scams from people impersonating organizations that provide voter registration assistance. The scammers ask if the residents want to register to vote or would like to request an absentee ballot over the phone.
According to the Pettis County Sheriff’s office, calls like these raise the possibility of identity theft as well as voter confusion. Voter registration requires residents to provide significant information, such as date of birth, physical address and full or partial Social Security numbers. If provided, this information could be used for identity theft in fraudulent voter registration or financial transactions like obtaining credit in your name.
In addition, those who provide information to these scam artists will not actually be registering to vote, potentially causing a large number of unregistered residents to appear at their local polling place on Election Day.
Residents are asked to be aware of this scam and to contact your local law-enforcement agency if you believe you have received one of these calls.
Should you have questions about elections, absentee voting or your voter status, contact your local county clerk.
In Pettis County, call County Clerk Nick La Strada’s office at (660) 826-5000.