Scammers are taking advantage of this upcoming election. Specifically, steer clear of political polling calls that promise gift cards in exchange for taking a voter survey. You get a call or even knock on your door from someone claiming to be conducting a political survey. The pollster wants to ask you questions about the upcoming election. In exchange for a few minutes of your time and your opinions, you will get a gift card or other reward.

It sounds easy, but don’t do it. After answering several legitimate-sounding survey questions, the individual typically asks you to provide some personal information…beyond your name. Allegedly, you need to pay for the shipping and taxes of the “prize” you’ve won. Providing your credit card number and personal information to scammers opens you up to the risk of additional fraudulent charges and identity theft. Legitimate polling companies rarely offer prizes for participating in a survey, and none would ask for a credit card number.