New Norton Survey Finds Younger Voters Under 35 Targeted Most with Fake Polls, Donation Scams and Disinformation
TEMPE, Ariz., and PRAGUE, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than three weeks left before Election Day in the U.S., new data reveals that over half of Americans (56%) have already been targeted by election-related scams. Younger voters, especially those under 35, are being targeted more, facing higher exposure to schemes like fake polls, impersonation attempts and disinformation campaigns. A survey conducted by Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), showcases the growing need for public awareness and caution during this election season.
"Election scams are a significant issue. From fake donations to disinformation intended to deceive, these scams can lead to serious financial and personal data losses, or even increase divisiveness by spreading confusion and mistrust," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "Protecting voters means staying ahead of new threats and providing people with the Cyber Safety knowledge and tools they need to safeguard their personal information and confidently vote."
Who's at Risk?
Younger adults are most at risk of being bombarded by election scams, with two-thirds (66%) of those aged 25 to 34 reporting encounters. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance's latest Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report, overconfidence may be a contributing factor to this, as younger generations may believe they are less susceptible to threats and engage in riskier online behavior due to a false sense of security.
Financial Losses
Alarmingly, nearly one in five (19%) individuals targeted by election scams fell victim, with 88% of victims reporting financial losses. On average, victims report losing over $7,200.
Voter Concerns: Rising Anxiety Over Election Scams
As Election Day approaches, voters are apprehensive about scams designed to mislead them. The survey reveals that fake news and disinformation top the list of concerns, with 43% of respondents identifying it as one of their primary fears. Other significant worries include fake polls and surveys (31%), voter registration scams (31%), fake endorsement scams (23%), impersonation scams and deepfakes (22%), donation scams (21%) and robocalls (21%).
These fears are not unfounded. Several common scams have emerged during this election cycle:
Additionally, while 82% of respondents confirmed their intention to vote, 40% of those voters expressed concerns about the legitimacy of polling stations. Voters 55 and older had the most confidence in polling stations (71% had no concerns vs 49% of people 25 to 34). Some of the concerns about polling stems from misinformation, raising concerns of what sources the public trusts to get their political information. Traditional news outlets are the most trusted (75%), followed by friends and family (25%). Interestingly, only about one in five (19%) said they trust official candidate platform information, only slightly higher than those who trust social media (16%).
Your Guide to Staying Safe This Election Season
To help protect yourself from election-related scams, Norton recommends the following:
Norton urges voters to stay informed and alert in the lead-up to Election Day. Scams have the potential to mislead voters, skew public opinion and compromise personal information. It is important for people to verify the credibility of political communications and report any suspicious activity.
For more information on how to safeguard against election-related scams, visit https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/ai-elections-2024.
Methodology
The study was conducted online within the United States by Dynata on behalf of Gen from September 13 to September 20, 2024, among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, and region, to be nationally representative.
About Norton
Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at www.norton.com.
Jenna Torluemke |
Erin Farkaly |
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Gen |
Edelman for Gen |
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.