Identity theft happens at the polls, too

October 20, 2010 – 10:23 am

Voters all over America will soon be heading to the polls to cast their votes in the upcoming election. What they decide will determine the future direction of our country.

For most voters, the process has become a simple, mundane one. With voter card in hand, we will enter the voting site and present our card, along with our driver’s license or other photo ID, and be handed our ballots. Some people will show up that day and register to vote.

But voters must remember to keep their guard up, even at the polls, because even there, identity thieves are at work.

In most communities, poll clerks are hired for the day, since election days are always quite busy and most elections offices don’t have enough personnel to handle it. These clerks are ordinary people, not government bureaucrats. Most are honest and really nice people. However, since there is very little done in the way of background checks, it’s possible for a few thieves to also obtain these jobs.

At stake is all the information that can be gleaned from the documents presented at the polls, especially for those who are registering to vote for the first time. For a thief, this is a virtual bonanza.

So here are some rules that you should adhere to this November.

First, keep your guard up. Think about what information you are presenting and what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands.

Never use your Social Security number for the purpose of voter identification, despite the fact that it is one of the listed acceptable forms of identification. Life as you know it will be over if a thief gets hold of that your SSN.

Never use a credit card for the purpose of voter identification. A thief can just record the numbers, and off he goes to the mall. If it’s an experienced thief, you won’t even know you’re number’s been stolen until it’s too late.

Be aware of what election workers are doing. If you spot someone recording your information or someone else’s on anything other than an official form, retrieve your information and report the incident to the city clerk.

There is no need for an election worker to make copies of your identifying documents. If one tries, don’t accept any explanation. No election worker has any legitimate reason to make a duplicate of your documents.

And finally, make sure to leave the polling location with all of your documents and personal property.

By following this advice, the only thing you should leave behind is the votes you cast.

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