Scripps Broadcasting/WSYX (VIDEO): Keep your private info, money safe during this election cycle

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Your mailbox is full of flyers, your voicemail is full of robo messages, and social media is rampant with comments and information.

While many of these will be full of real information, or from actual volunteers and committees, it can be hard to spot what’s fake and who may be trying to scam you.

The volume of texts and messages you’re receiving has to do, in part, with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think had to do with both campaigns shifting their operations to more digitally focused as it’s harder and potentially more dangerous for people to be doing fieldwork,” Jesse Littlewood, vice president of Campaigns at non-partisan Common Cause, said.

Littlewood also leads the group’s Stopping Cyber Suppression program, which focuses on fighting off “rampant mis and disinformation about our voting and election systems that are out there on social media.” One of those pieces of bad information includes this robocall, targeting midwestern states like Ohio and Michigan. The call urges the listener to “stay safe and beware of vote by mail,” incorrectly claiming voting by mail puts your personal information in a database used to serve warrants, collect debts, and even push for mandatory vaccines.

“That is an illegal use to send unsolicited phone calls to voters, and especially one that contains deceptive practice that could disenfranchise someone and take away their chance to vote,” Littlewood said. Michigan’s attorney general has filed charges against the creators of the message.