Warn Of ID Theft Scams By People Offering Voter Reg Help
The Consumer Protection Board urges consumers not to give out their Social Security or other numbers to unsolicited callers
BY JOHN TOSCANO

As the last day to register to vote and be eligible to cast a ballot in this year's election approaches, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a report warning of a voter registration scam involving either e-mails or telephone calls that may also have identity theft overtones.

The state Consumer Protection Board (CPB), citing the report, said the scammer is "an individual claiming to represent the local election board or another civic group and asks for Social Security numbers or credit card information in order to confirm a person's eligibility to vote or their voter registration".

CPB Chairperson Mindy A. Bockstein, in an effort to alert the public, said in a news release, "The Consumer Protection Board urges consumers not to give out their Social Security or other numbers to unsolicited callers or to unsecured e-mail contacts for any reason. This is yet another scheme by identity thieves to fraudulently obtain Social Security numbers and credit card information in order to steal people's identity. Don't fall for it!"

Bockstein says consumers who receive any such unsolicited calls or e-mails seeking this information or other private or financial information purportedly needed for voter registration purposes should immediately report them to the FTC at www.ftc.gov.

Consumers who may have already unknowingly provided this information in response to similar requests may be victims of identity theft, she says, and should immediately file a complaint with the FTC and then contact CPB at www.nysconsumer.gov for information and for whatever steps they should take to protect their identity or to remediate their situation.

Bockstein reminds the public that New York state's deadline to register to vote and thus be eligible to vote in the November 4 elections is Friday, October 10. The state form is available from the New York State Board of Elections at 40 Steuben St., Albany, NY 12207-2108.

She says, consumers also can go to www.elections.state.ny.us to find their voter registration information.

To reach the New York City Board of Elections, call 1-866-VOTE-NYC, or 212-487-5300.