“These are scams!”: Secretary Galvin warns about dubious text messages

BOSTON (WWLP) – As Massachusetts prepares for the state primary election on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin has a warning for voters.

According to Galvin, voters across multiple districts are receiving text messages claiming they are ineligible to vote.

These messages, which tell receivers to click on a link to update their personal information, are a scam. “No local officials, nor anyone else representing election administration in Massachusetts texts voters to do anything,” said Galvin at a press conference. “At best, these are mistaken efforts, maybe by campaigns. At worst, they’re more likely efforts to get personal information or contact with voters.”

Galvin warned voters not to give out personal information to anyone online and clarified that you can find your voter registration status on the Secretary of State website. “In light of the potential that it has when you give out personal information you might think you have to provide to justify your status as a voter, it could create more problems,” said Galvin. “We don’t want that to happen.”

The secretary’s office is working with the proper authorities–including the police–to learn more about these texts. At this time, they are not sure if the sender is from a campaign or even from Massachusetts.

Secretary Galvin told 22News that viewers who receive a text like these scams should call his office or their local election office to report the incident.

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