AI deepfakes, election misinformation, fake fundraisers, and other 2024 voter fraud cases are increasing as Election Day approaches

CHICAGO (WLS) – Scammers are targeting voters across the country, from AI deepfakes on social media to fraudulent news websites or fake links that claim to register you to vote.

As Election Day approaches, we are inundated with political fundraising texts, campaign ads, and news about registration and where to vote; But how do you know what’s real?

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“So you want to make sure you’re not being exploited,” said Chris Pierson, CEO and founder of cybersecurity firm BlackCloak. “If you’re in a demographic that may be able to vote, may not be able to vote, may not be registered, or just doesn’t understand the rules and regulations, you may be vulnerable to being asked, ‘Hey, it’s $100 for this.’ , particularly to coordinate “types of charges.”

You never have to pay to register to vote, and the online registration deadline in Illinois is October 20th. Illinois also has free voter registration during a grace period that runs from October 9 through Election Day on November 5, but you must register in person at the Board of Elections office, a permanent polling place or location starting 15 days before Election Day Register for early voting to be able to vote. You must also vote at the same time as registering if you wish to use the registration within the grace period. You can register to vote in Illinois and cast your vote until the polls close on Election Day.

You can contact your local board of elections to register to vote or register online with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Another scam could inform you of a fake polling place. Contact your board of elections to find out where you can vote or search for your polling place on the Illinois Board of Elections website.

Also be on the lookout for scammers spreading AI deepfakes.

“In terms of social media and advertising, it’s a lot easier these days to create a very, very realistic voice or video of a candidate. You have to actually know who you are.” “Watch,” Pierson said.

Images show celebrities like Keanu Reeves wearing a pro-Donald Trump shirt and Ryan Reynolds wearing a pro-Kamala Harris shirt; they are both fake.

“This is bipartisan. This is not targeted one way or the other. But there are individuals and groups who may be engaging in deep fakes containing misinformation,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Whether it’s about votes or whether it’s about the stance of candidates in certain positions.”

Raoul said that for potentially fake memes, images and videos, you should always cross-check with trusted news outlets that verify the information and attribute it to multiple reliable sources. Raoul also warned against websites that look like real news outlets but are not.

“So often. Foreign actors are involved in this. So you know, with the advent of AI and easy access to AI tools, we’re dealing with a lot of confusion and a lot of deception out there,” he said.

You will also be served fake links that you may think are raising funds for your favorite candidates, but can actually install malware on your device and trick you into giving away money.

“Fake financial donations, whether they’re donations that go to an individual individually or through some sort of PAC, but people are being targeted by text, phone or email to donate to a candidate. “One thing and it’s fake,” Pierson said. “And if you go ahead and put the money straight from your wallet into the hands of cybercriminals.”

Political fraudsters also use AI and chat GPT to generate credible emails that are now very well written. Previously, you could weed out fraudulent emails by checking for spelling mistakes or bad grammar. that is no longer the case.

Always do your own research when you receive a strange link or email.